EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — One week after he accused the media of “creating drama,” Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown erupted in frustration on the visitors’ sideline at the New York Jets, leaving the field in the third quarter with coach Bruce Arians proclaiming after the game that he was no longer with the team.
“He is no longer a Buc,” Arians said after the Buccaneers’ 28-24 victory. “That’s the end of the story. Let’s talk about the guys that went out there and won the game.”
When asked for more details on what led to Brown’s departure, Arians said, “I’m not talking about him. He’s no longer part of the Bucs.”
A source told ESPN that Brown was not benched. “He quit,” the source said. He did not fly home on the team charter, according to another source.
Teammates Mike Evans and O.J. Howard attempted to calm Brown, who took off his jersey, pads and undershirt, throwing his shirt and gloves into the stands. He then dashed across the end zone while both teams were on the field and waved to fans as he went to the locker room.
Arians told Fox Sports after the game that he was trying to get Brown to go into the game and he refused, twice, as Arians told him to “get out.” Arians added to Fox Sports on Brown taking off his equipment: “Never seen anything like that in all my years.”
At that point in the game, the Bucs were down 24-10, but captured the lead with :21 to go when quarterback Tom Brady heaved a 33-yard pass to wide receiver Cyril Grayson for a touchdown.
At that point in the game, the Bucs were down 24-10, but captured the lead when quarterback Tom Brady heaved a 33-yard pass to wide receiver Cyril Grayson with 21 seconds to go.
Brady called it a “difficult situation” with Brown. He was not notified of Brown’s dismissal until after the game.
“We all love him. We care about him deeply. We want to see him be at his best. Unfortunately it won’t be with our team,” Brady said, adding that he will continue his friendship with Brown, and would encourage those around him to help him.
“I think everyone should be very compassionate and empathetic toward some very difficult things that are happening,” Brady said.
Running back Le’Veon Bell, who just signed with the Bucs and was Brown’s teammate with the Pittsburgh Steelers, echoed Brady’s comments.
“I found out when we got into the locker room at the end of the game,” Bell said. “I instantly sent him a text, to try to catch up with him real quick. Obviously he texted me back and I talked to him. He still one of my close friends. Like you won’t hear me talking bad about A.B. at all. Obviously I understand, things happen, but he’s one of my closest friends I’ve been around, a close teammate, overall a good person. Some bad decision-making at times but he’s human, not perfect, and we’ll continue to move on without him and keep moving forward.”
“It’s tough. Obviously when I came over here, I was happy to be reunited with him. Unfortunately it was only two games but at the end of the day, I wish the best for him outside of football or whatever’s next for him.”
