Antonio Brown is “no longer a Buc” after the star wide receiver had a meltdown Sunday (Jan. 2) in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game against the New York Jets. Brown’s ex-head coach Bruce Arians made the announcement in the post-game press conference, according to Sports Illustrated. His comment on the matter was brief, as Arians tried to deflect questions to “the guys that went out there and won the game”
While the Buccaneers were able to secure a comeback victory 28-24 against the Jets, the ultimate highlight of the game came during the third quarter when Brown let his frustrations get the best of him.
As the Bucs trailed the Jets 24-17, Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans appeared to be trying to calm Brown down on the sidelines. Fox Sports footage captured Brown pulling off his shoulder pads and jersey. A shirtless Brown then proceeded to run across the end zone and wave to Jets fans before he walked to the locker room.
Fox Sports broadcasters reported that the stadium security thought Brown was a shirtless fan on the field and planned to tackle him before they realized it was him.
Brown finished the game with 3 catches and 26 yards in just his seventh game of the season. He missed three games earlier this season after the NFL suspended him for violating its COVID-19 protocols by misrepresenting his vaccination status with a fake card. The 33-year-old Miami native had to sit out a handful of games with an ankle sprain he suffered during the Bucs Week 6 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Coach Bruce Arians reportedly said after Brown’s suspension for providing a fake COVID-19 vaccination card to the league that he had just one mistake left with the organization. Several reports — including one from Fox Sports senior writer Peter Schrager — noted Brown would not be flying back to Tampa Bay with the team. “Per source, ‘he gone’ Schrager tweeted.
Watch AB’s meltdown below: