Every parent in Illinois and beyond wants what is best for their children, but sometimes there are differing opinions on just what that is. That appears to be the case for one professional football player who is caught in an apparent child custody dispute.

Antonio Brown is a wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In addition to being a professional football player, he is also a dad to a four-year-old little boy.

The boy's mother lives in Miami. Recently, she filed court documents claiming the football player took their son to live with him in Pennsylvania without her permission. She says she has not had any contact with her son, and is concerned that he is not getting the care he needs. She is asking court officials for an emergency child pick-up order.

Brown has a different story. He says the mother was aware that the child would be living with him in Pennsylvania, and that she even consented to it almost a year ago.

The football player's attorney says the boy's father set up a visitation with the mother. He believes the mother is doing this in an attempt to get money from the professional athlete.

Child custody issues can occur whether you're a professional athlete or not. When these issues do come up, it may be best to work with an experienced attorney to help sort out the matter. An attorney can fight to protect the rights of an individual, while working towards a resolution that is in the child's best interest.

Source: TMZ, "NFL Star's Baby Mama Give Me Back Our Kid!!!" Jan. 5, 2011