Bucs cutting Antonio Brown after WR quits game in bizarre scene
Antonio Brown's time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has come to an end in bizarre fashion.
The wide receiver is no longer a member of the Buccaneers, head coach Bruce Arians announced after Sunday's 28-24 win over the New York Jets.
The announcement came after Brown ran off the field and left the game midway through the third quarter after showing frustration on the sideline.
Brown also threw some of his equipment into the stands before exiting while the Bucs' offense was on the field. Some of his teammates - including wide receiver Mike Evans - tried to stop him from leaving.
Another angle of AB running off of the field shirtless during a Bucs offensive drive. pic.twitter.com/YWAUvTxHq1
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 2, 2022
Antonio Brown just took jersey and gear off and threw it into crowd. Celebrating and ran to the locker room. No idea what is going on. pic.twitter.com/uPALqGJGJo
— Jake Brown (@JakeBrownRadio) January 2, 2022
Antonio Brown has a meltdown at the hand of the #Jets and #BraxtonBerrios pic.twitter.com/RGhSYpyrOu
— Miller (@mmmmillah) January 2, 2022
Brown hauled in three of five targets for 26 yards before exiting the game with the Buccaneers trailing 24-10. Led by Tom Brady, the Bucs stormed back against the Jets, with the quarterback tossing the game-winning 33-yard touchdown to wide receiver Cyril Grayson with 15 seconds left.
Brady addressed Brown's departure postgame.
"That's obviously a difficult situation. We all love him and care about him deeply," Brady said, according to Greg Auman of The Athletic.
Brady added: "I think everyone should be compassionate and empathetic toward some very difficult things."
Brown, who was in his second season with Tampa Bay, entered Sunday with 519 receiving yards and four touchdowns through six appearances in 2021.
The 33-year-old missed time this season due to an ankle injury and a three-game suspension for misrepresenting his COVID-19 vaccination status.
Brown's exit is another hit to the Buccaneers' offense, which also lost Chris Godwin to a season-ending injury.
Brown, a seven-time Pro Bowler, signed a one-year, $3.1-million contract with Tampa Bay in the offseason after helping the team win Super Bowl LV last season.
The Buccaneers were the fourth different team of Brown's career. He also suited up for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2010-18) and New England Patriots (2019) and had a brief training camp stint with the Oakland Raiders in 2019.