We may never know what really happened along the Buccaneers sideline that caused Antonio Brown to strip down and leave the field mid-game.
By now we’ve heard several different stories. First it was believed that Brown flipped out because he felt as though the team was purposely trying to keep him from reaching his contract bonuses. That story seemed to make sense to many and we all ran with it.
That was yesterday’s story. Earlier today, we were given two more versions of what happened. The first, which the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport drop this morning, claimed that Brown felt as though he could no longer play on his injured ankle, and refused to go back into the game. Arians and the coaching staff felt as though AB was healthy enough to play, and they eventually told him that if he refused to go in, he would be cut.
From there, it’s quite obvious what Brown chose, as he stripped down and left the field and the Buccaneers forever.
Former NFL punter Pat McAfee has also dished out a different version of what happened. On his show today, he revealed that a source told him that Brown was angry because he felt as though the team didn’t have his back when he was suspended by the league for three games for using a fake vaccination card.
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That was the latest explanation of what happened between AB and Arians…until now.
Arians was in front of the mic once again this morning for his Monday press conference, and this time he was in more of a mood to discuss what happened. According to the Buccaneers head coach, Brown did not inform anyone about his injury. And he certainly wasn’t cut during the game, based on what Bruce had to say.
Arians claims that, not only was he unaware that Brown was injured, but he also didn’t tell him to leave the field. Rather, the head coach claims, “We had a conversation and he left the field.”
Brown has since been cut by the team, although Arians did say that he’s hoping for the best for Brown and he’d like to see him get some help if necessary.
I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll hear about this crazy saga.
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