The 10 greatest false alarms in NFL history: an April Fools special

NEW YORK CITY - APRIL 24: Quarterback Eli Manning (Mississippi) stands next to his older brother QB Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts after Eli was selected first overall by the San Diego Chargers at the 2004 NFL Draft on April 24, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Manning was later traded to the New York Giants in exchange for QB Philip Rivers (North Carolina State) and New York's third-round pick (No. 65), which they use to select Iowa K Nate Kaeding, and the Giants' first-round and fifth-round picks in the 2005 draft. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 23: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates a touchdown during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

05. Antonio Brown nixes trade to Buffalo

The most recent entry on this list but no less deserving. Everybody in the NFL world knew that the Pittsburgh Steelers were going to trade star wide receiver Antonio Brown during the 2019 offseason. It was merely a matter of finding the right offer. Things were quiet for a long period of time. Then like a bomb word came out that the team had agreed in principle to a deal that would send Brown to the Buffalo Bills. Most assumed it was locked in.

Then Brown himself made a comment on Instagram reporting the trade, calling it “fake news.” Mere hours later it was reported that the trade was off, the receiver having apparently made it clear he had no intention of playing for the Bills if he was indeed shipped there. Pittsburgh was forced to back out and eventually sent him to the Oakland Raiders instead. Sadly it all proved to be yet another cruel prank on the Bills fanbase.

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