We said earlier that the reports will continue to roll in regarding the real reasons why Antonio Brown stormed off the field during Sunday’s game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets. And here’s another.
This one comes from former NFL punter Pat McAfee, who went on his show earlier this morning and dropped a noteworthy report regarding the breakup between AB and the Bucs. According to McAfee’s sources, Brown had felt as though the team didn’t support him or have his back when the league suspended him for three games for using a fake vaccination card prior to the start of the season.
Brown returned from his suspension last week, during the Bucs’ week 16 victory over the Panthers. However, since his return, the controversial wide receiver apparently felt as though his relationship with the team had changed. And from the sound of it, this may be what set off yesterday’s meltdown.
It was originally believed that Brown had quit on the team during the third quarter of their comeback victory over the Jets because he felt as though the team wasn’t doing enough to help him reach his contract incentives — which could have earned the wideout and extra million dollars.
However, earlier today NFL insider Ian Rapoport confirmed that Brown had actually pulled himself from the game because he felt as though his ankle injury was too much to play through. After refusing to enter the game when asked, Brown was told by Arians that he would either play or be cut. And based on how Brown reacted, it’s pretty clear he chose option number two, as he began ripping off his uniform before running off the field mid-game.
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Brown had been dealing with an ankle injury earlier in the season. He was apparently on track to return in week 13, but was hit with a three-game suspension for using a fake vaccination card in the offseason. Brown returned to action in week 16 and put up 101 yards on 10 receptions in a winning effort against the Panthers. But he reaggravated the injury during the week and entered the game with a questionable designation.
Brown tested the ankle during warmups and was apparently good to go. And he had three catches for 26 yards before his outburst.
After the game, Arians made it clear that Brown would no longer be part of the team. And with that, it is very likely that we have seen the last of AB on an NFL field. It’s been quite the roller coaster career for the former Steeler, Patriot and Raider, to say the least.
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