Former NFL superstar Antonio Brown thought his playing days were behind him when he stormed off the field in 2021.
But his off-field problems have only gotten worse.
And Antonio Brown just got some terrible news that will have every NFL fan shaking their heads.
Antonio Brown wanted on attempted murder charges
The circus that is Antonio Brown’s life just took its most dangerous turn yet.
Miami-Dade County authorities are now seeking to arrest the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver on charges of attempted murder with a firearm, according to a warrant signed by a judge on Wednesday.
The charges stem from a wild incident outside a celebrity boxing event in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood on May 16, where things went from bad to worse in a matter of minutes.
According to the warrant, officers responded to reports of gunshots being fired outside the venue shortly before midnight, and when they arrived, an off-duty officer working security said he observed Brown involved in a physical altercation with another man.
What happened next reads like something out of a Hollywood movie, except this is real life.
Police later obtained video footage that appears to show Brown punching another man, sparking a melee, and the footage later shows Brown appearing to take the gun of a security officer and running toward the man he had punched.
Cellphone video captures two gunshots as Brown approaches the victim and includes the victim ducking.
The alleged victim, who told police he had known Brown since 2022, said that after the initial fight had been broken up, Brown "began to run toward him with a firearm" and shot at him twice, possibly grazing his neck.
Brown claims he was the victim
Of course, Brown had his own version of events.
The day after the incident, Brown posted on social media: "Regarding the boxing event that happened last night. I was jumped by multiple individuals who tried to steal my jewelry and cause physical harm to me. Contrary to some video circulating, Police temporarily detained me until they received my side of the story and then released me. I WENT HOME THAT NIGHT AND WAS NOT ARRESTED".
He added, "I will be talking to my legal council and attorneys on pressing charges on the individuals that jumped me".
But the evidence appears to tell a different story.
According to the warrant, witnesses told police officers that Brown was the shooter, and two shell casings were found at the scene.
The man who was allegedly shot went to Aventura Hospital for treatment of his injuries and positively identified Brown on the surveillance footage.
From NFL stardom to attempted murder charges
This latest incident represents the most serious legal trouble yet for the 36-year-old who was once considered one of the best wide receivers in football.
Brown is regarded as one of the best receivers of the 2010s, accumulating four consecutive first-team All-Pro selections (2014–2017), all as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But his fall from grace has been nothing short of spectacular.
His NFL career came to a crashing halt when he was released near the end of the 2021 season after stripping off his uniform and running off the field during a game against the New York Jets.
That infamous meltdown, where Brown ripped off his shoulder pads and jersey in the middle of a game, was just the latest chapter in a career filled with controversy.
The mercurial receiver had worn out his welcome in Pittsburgh, Oakland, New England, and finally Tampa Bay through a series of increasingly erratic behaviors.
His troubles with the Oakland Raiders included everything from sharing an image of his heavily blistered feet on social media after a cryotherapy mishap to reportedly engaging in a verbal altercation with general manager Mike Mayock.
With the New England Patriots, Brown was accused of sexual assault by former trainer Britney Taylor and a second woman, and allegedly sent threatening text messages to one of his accusers.
A pattern of escalating problems
Since leaving the NFL, Brown’s legal troubles have only multiplied.
He allegedly exposed himself to a woman at a hotel in Dubai in 2022. Police have issued arrest warrants for him for alleged domestic violence and failure to pay child support. In May 2024, he filed for bankruptcy with debts of $3 million and less than $50,000 in assets.
In online postings, Brown has frequently attributed his unpredictability to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the brain damage associated with football’s repeated blows to the head.
Now, the warrant calls for Brown to post a $10,000 bond and remain under house arrest pending trial.
The Miami Police Department confirmed Friday that Brown has not yet surrendered to authorities.
What makes this story even more tragic is that Brown once had everything an NFL player could want – talent, money, and fame.
He won a Super Bowl with Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021, catching a touchdown pass in the championship game.
But instead of riding off into the sunset as a champion, Brown chose to burn every bridge he could find.
Now, instead of being remembered as one of the greatest receivers of his generation, he’s facing attempted murder charges in Miami.
The man who once caught passes from Ben Roethlisberger and Tom Brady is now being hunted by police.
It’s a cautionary tale about how quickly fame and fortune can disappear when poor decisions catch up with you.
For NFL fans who watched Brown’s incredible catches and record-breaking performances, this latest chapter is just heartbreaking.
The league has seen its share of troubled players over the years, but Antonio Brown’s fall from grace might be the most spectacular of them all.
