NFL.com: Antonio Brown's exit

WR Antonio Brown 'no longer a Buc' after exiting field during win over Jets
Published: Jan 02, 2022 at 03:44 PM
Around the NFL Staff

Antonio Brown just said goodbye to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

With Tampa Bay's offense in the midst of a third-quarter drive against the New York Jets, the star wideout pulled off his helmet, jersey and pads, waved to the fans at MetLife Stadium and ran into the tunnel. Video showed teammate Mike Evans attempting to restrain Brown from removing his uniform.

Bucs head coach Bruce Arians told the media after Tampa Bay's 28-24 comeback win that Brown was no longer with the team.

"He is no longer a Buc. That's the end of the story," Arians said.

Brown reportedly had been benched by Arians prior to leaving the field, per Bucs sideline reporter TJ Rives.

Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady described it as a "difficult situation" after the game.

"We all want him to get help in ways that he needs it," Brady told reporters. "We all love him deeply. Unfortunately he won't be with our team."

Brady added: "People should be compassionate and empathetic with things that are happening."

The former Pro Bowler caught three passes for 26 yards versus the Jets, who led 24-10 at the time of his departure. Tampa Bay came back from the 14-point deficit to defeat New York and move to 12-4.

A week ago, Brown went on a long rant following his first game in two months, objecting to questions about Arians supporting his reinstatement from a three-game suspension for violating the joint NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 protocols.

"It's a lot of drama," Brown said then. "It's a lot of drama you guys create, a lot of drama that people create that want stuff from me. But that's just a part of life, a part of being in the position. I can't control what people want from me, I can't control what people write about me, I can't control what people say about me. All I could do is get up every day and be the best person I can be, and when I get a chance to do my job, do my job the best way I could do it, and that's what we had today."

[www.nfl.com]

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/02/2022 12:25PM by MamaRAMa.