College World Series: Notorious Ex-NFL WR Antonio Brown Takes a Daring Dig at Tennessee Volunteers’ Kirby Connell

Not the first time and possibly not the last, Antonio Brown’s comments on other sports players have always been under controversy. A few months ago, the All-Pro wide receiver slammed his former Pittsburgh Steelers team on social media. Yet again, his target was Tennessee Volunteers’s Kirby Connell, ‘the famous mustache man.’ On social media mocking the star player of the Volunteers, Brown jokingly posted, “This not that cracker that sing Tennessee Whiskey?”

Comparing him with Chris Stapleton, the singer, some fans came into action, pouring their witty and funny reactions. Sharing their views on social media, a fan wrote, “Close, but the beard is a bit shorter.” Showing the similarities between the two personalities. Additionally, coming into rescue for Kirby Connell, another fan replied, “No, he isn’t, but he probably sings better than you rap!!!.”

In January 2022, Brown took off his jersey against the Jets during the game and left the field. Later, he said, he was badly injured and couldn’t play again. Indeed, he was out of the field but not the spotlight. Just hours later, he released his song, “Pit Not the Palace,” which racked up millions of views. 

Still, comparing Connell to Antonio Brown, Kirby’s fan base is not far behind. As the Tennessee baseball team returned to Omaha, fans eagerly waited to see Kirby Connell. Eventually, in the final match against the Texas A&M, the Tennessee Volunteers won 6-5. All thanks go to Christian Moore’s lead-home run that steered the Vols towards their first-ever World Series College championship. 

Coming back to Kirby’s stylish mustache look, presently, you will find very few baseball players daunting that look. Still, he seems to be doing good despite the controversies. Altogether, with Kirby, who is all-famous because of his vintage mustache look, there’s an interesting story that fans might want to hear. 

Kirby Connel’s mustache story

Flaunting his luscious hair and a handlebar-shaped mustache, Kirby has been one of the most famous and best-groomed players. Following his second season with the Volunteers, his nickname, “Vollie Fingers”, became famous with each passing day. “I’ve had long hair since high school, so all the way back to freshman year. And I’ve always had a little bit of a mustache. Now, I’ve gotten to a point where I don’t really shave the ends as much and try to get as much curl as I possibly can,” Connell told to Adam Sparks of the Knoxville News in 2022. Since then, keeping a mustache has become a superstition for him, and it seems it has helped his pitching.

In his first season keeping the mustache, he made a career-best of 1.66 ERA, with a 4-0 record and 36 strikeouts in thirty matches. After that, Kerby posted an ERA of 3.52, followed by 3.98 in 2023 and 2024. Eventually, at the start of 2024, he became one of the top Vols veteran relievers because of his exceptional pitching abilities. 

“I’d say it’s a superstition at this point. But it’s also my profile,” Connell told the SEC in 2023. His visit to the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in 2022 is a prime example. The moment he entered the hospital, patients recognized him instantly, setting another prime example of his popularity. Eventually, social media is all about exchanging our thoughts, and the same thing happened with Connell. Well, as our passionate readers, How would you rate Kerby’s mustache? Let us know in the comments below!