Former star NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown, accused of opening fire on a man in Miami last year, pleaded guilty Friday to a lesser charge as part of a deal that will allow the troubled former player to avoid prison.
Brown pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a firearm in exchange for three years of probation.
He must undergo a mandatory psychological evaluation and follow weekly counseling if mandated.
Brown is “extremely grateful that this is finally behind us” and that the attempted murder charge has been dropped, defense attorney Mark Eiglarsh told reporters.
“My client was facing 30 years in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and he was made an offer he simply could not refuse,” Eiglarsh added. “Probation was too good to turn down, and we are both very excited about the outcome.”
A representative for the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office could not immediately be reached for comment Friday.
Brown, 38, is accused of grabbing a handgun from a security guard at a celebrity boxing match on May 16, 2025, in Miami before opening fire on a man he had fought with earlier, authorities said:
Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu told police that one of the bullets grazed his neck. The victim had said he did not want Brown to be prosecuted and wanted the case closed.
Asked about that outcome, Brown said in court Thursday: “I thank God. »
Brown last played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2021 season, and in what turned out to be his final game, he left the field shirtless.
During this January 3, 2022 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians called on Brown to enter the game.
When Brown refused, Arians told him to leave the field – and the player did so in a spectacular collapse.
He removed his jersey, shoulder pads, undershirt and gloves before displaying a peace sign during his outing in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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