Dealing with an aggravated sprained ankle and fresh off a three-game suspension for using a fake vaccination card, wide receiver Antonio Brown disrobed, threw equipment into the stands then literally went AWOL during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game at the New York Jets. Trailing 24-10 at the time of his third quarter walkout, the Buccaneers rallied to win 28-24. With only three catches for 26 yards in the game, Brown was possibly frustrated by the likelihood not meeting performance-based incentives totaling $1 million for 2021. The incident marks the latest bizarre chapter for Brown, possibly CTE-stricken since taking a hit from Vontaze Burfict in January 2016.
The optics of the incident indicate this is the last we see of Brown as an NFL player. Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians opened his post-game press conference saying Brown is longer with the team.
Brown was not on the team charter returning to Tampa, last seen getting a ride from a well-known celebrity chauffeur out of the stadium.