Antonio Brown says he didn’t give up on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers through the center of a recreation on Sunday, however relatively he was lower after refusing to play by means of an ankle damage that sidelined him for a number of weeks this season.
The oft-troubled extensive receiver, who took off his jersey, shoulder pads and undershirt earlier than strolling off the sideline throughout Sunday’s victory over the New York Jets, mentioned in an announcement launched by his lawyer that he was pressured to play. He claims Bucs coach Bruce Arians then fired him when the participant instructed the coach he was not capable of re-enter the sport due to his ankle.
Video of Antonio Brown leaving the sphere after taking off his jersey and shirt and throw it into the stands. pic.twitter.com/1hwNYei5Fq
— Subject Yates (@FieldYates) January 2, 2022
“I walked off the sphere,” Brown mentioned within the assertion. “However there’s a significant distinction between launching from the road and taking hits, in comparison with jogging off the sphere with a rush of feelings going by means of your thoughts. I'm reflecting on my response, however there was a set off. The set off was somebody telling me that I’m not allowed to really feel ache.”
Whereas not specifying which ankle was harm, Brown mentioned within the assertion that an MRI carried out on Monday confirmed damaged bone fragments, a ligament tear and cartilage loss “that are past painful. You may see the bone bulging from the surface.”
Arians mentioned the day after the sport that Brown didn't declare he was injured when he refused to proceed taking part in towards the Jets. The coach declined to debate specifics of the dialog on the sideline and mentioned he had “no clue” why the receiver reacted by storming off the sphere, tossing a few of his gear into the stands and waving to followers at MetLife Stadium.
Brown instructed a unique story in his assertion.
“Due to my dedication to the sport, I relented to stress immediately from my coach to play injured,” he mentioned. “Regardless of the ache, I suited up, the employees injected me with what I now know was a strong and typically harmful painkiller that the NFLPA has warned towards utilizing, and I gave it my all for the group. I performed till it was clear that I couldn't use my ankle to soundly carry out my taking part in duties.
“On prime of that, the ache was excessive. I took a seat on the sideline and my coach got here as much as me, very upset, and shouted, ‘What’s mistaken with you? What’s mistaken with you?’ I instructed him, ‘It’s my ankle.’ However he knew that. It was effectively documented and we had mentioned it.
“He then ordered me to get on the sphere. I mentioned, ‘Coach, I can’t.’ He didn’t name for medical consideration. As a substitute, he shouted at me, ‘YOU’RE DONE!’ whereas he ran his finger throughout his throat. Coach was telling me that if I didn’t play harm, then I used to be finished with the Bucs.”
Though Arians mentioned after the sport that Brown was not part of the reigning Tremendous Bowl champions, the 33-year-old receiver who’s caught a go in his final 144 video games remained on the roster on Wednesday.
Wednesday’s damage report famous Brown’s absence from observe was “not damage associated - private.”
Requested in regards to the group not making an official transaction in regard to Brown, who didn't accompany the group again to Tampa following Sunday’s recreation, Arians replied: “It’s a administration resolution on what is going on proper now.”
On whether or not it was merely a matter of how Brown might be eliminated the group, not if, Arians mentioned: “Proper.”
The group didn't instantly reply to a request for touch upon Brown’s assertion Wednesday night time. The receiver alleged a coverup.
“I didn’t give up. I used to be lower. I didn’t stroll away from my brothers. I used to be thrown out,” Brown’s assertion learn.
“Being fired on the sideline for having a painful damage was dangerous sufficient. Then got here their ‘spin’. Coach denied on nationwide tv that he knew about my ankle. That’s 100% inaccurate,” the receiver added. “Not solely did he know I missed a number of video games with the damage, he and I exchanged texts days earlier than the sport the place he clearly acknowledged my damage.”
Brown injured his ankle throughout a victory at Philadelphia in mid-October. He returned to the lineup towards Carolina on 26 December, after serving a three-game suspension for misrepresenting his Covid-19 vaccination standing.
Brown has a historical past of off-field troubles lately. In Wednesday’s assertion he attacked the Buccaneers for implying Sunday’s incident was as a result of a “psychological well being challenge” relatively than an damage downside.
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