To the surprise of few, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are parting ways with wide receiver Antonio Brown after he left in the middle of Sunday’s game against the Jets, removing his jersey and shoulder pads and running into the tunnel while waving to the crowd (and almost getting tackled by security in the process).
After the game, head coach Bruce Arians, who has defended Brown in recent weeks, simply said that “he is no longer a Buc.”
Brown has spent the last two seasons in Tampa Bay, having followed Tom Brady there as a way to revitalize his career following an extremely brief stint with the Patriots. Brown helped the Bucs win the Super Bowl last season, which is likely a large part of why they have been so bullish on keeping him on the field even as more off-field incidents piled up. His time in Tampa ends having amassed just over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns.
It remains to be seen what Brown will have to say following Sunday’s incident and where his NFL career goes from here, if anywhere. Clearly, there are some concerns about his mental health and the way the Buccaneers have navigated that will be a topic of discussion as well.
In the meantime, NFL circles on social media have a lot of say about the way the Antonio Brown era has ended in Tampa Bay.
To be fair, Antonio Brown should get credit for breaking this story. https://t.co/ZCbtAL1rKE
— Paul Pabst (@PaulPabst) January 2, 2022
Why he was a Buc in the first place, I do not know. https://t.co/5uBHTNIFSg
— Ashley Brewer Kaminsky (@ashbrewkaminsky) January 2, 2022
But will the @NFL or someone check on the condition of his mental health? https://t.co/iSCw4gd1Do
— Rene Knott (@reneknottsports) January 2, 2022
He already had too many second, third, fourth, fifth … chances. https://t.co/0Z9w9cWnVH
— Brad Evans (@NoisyHuevos) January 2, 2022
This is obviously opinion and not fact but AB needs help and has never been forced to get it. Hope he chooses it. https://t.co/qGxMbKxL6f
— Jeff Cavanaugh (@timeforjeffrey) January 2, 2022
“We were willing to keep an open mind when he faked his Covid vaccination and got suspended for three crucial late-season games but NOW he’s crossed the line” https://t.co/G0sm8qQ6sd
— David Steele (@David_C_Steele) January 2, 2022
Very convenient. https://t.co/pOmcvmNlUA
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) January 2, 2022
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.