National Football League

Antonio Brown 'no longer a Buc' after leaving game vs. Jets

Updated Jan. 3, 2022 12:02 a.m. ET

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Antonio Brown is no longer a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, having been cut by the team after he left the field in the third quarter of their 28-24 victory over the New York Jets.

'Antonio Brown is no longer a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers'

FOX Sports’ Jen Hale gives an update on Antonio Brown and his future after Brown stripped off his jersey and pads and left the field mid-game.

The Bucs were trailing 24-10 when Brown, clearly agitated on the sideline, removed his jersey and shoulder pads and left the field.

Antonio Brown exits mid-game in Buccaneers vs. Jets

The Tampa Bay wide receiver appeared upset on the sidelines and shortly after, took off his uniform and exited the game.

Brown, who served a suspension early this season after he was caught with a fake COVID-19 vaccination card, jogged off the field with three minutes remaining in the period after an apparent argument on the sideline. Mike Evans and O.J. Howard tried to convince him to remain on the field, but were unsuccessful. 

"I've never seen anything like that"

Chris Myers and Daryl Johnston discuss Antonio Brown's actions in Week 17.

According to FOX Sports sideline reporter Jen Hale, Brown "took off his shoulder pads and tossed his shoulder pads. [He then] took off his shirt and gloves, threw those into the crowd, then ran across the field while the teams were still on the field, before giving the crowd a ‘peace-out’ sign. The security guards thought it was a fan at first, and went to try and tackle him, before someone told them it was Brown, and they let him go."

Tampa Bay would go on to score on the same drive, closing a 13-play, 75-yard drive with a TD throw from Tom Brady to Cameron Brate.

Then, with 21 seconds left in the game, Brady hit Cyril Grayson for a 33-yard touchdown pass, and the Bucs came away with a 28-24 victory.

After the game, Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians said Brown was no longer a member of his team.

According to FOX Sports' Jay Glazer, Arians told Brown to leave after the receiver refused to go into the game.

After the game, FOX Sports analyst Michael Strahan commented on the situation, saying it was "hard to watch."

"It's hard to watch" - Michael Strahan on Antonio Brown

Michael Strahan says Antonio Brown was on a path to a Hall of Fame career, but that he couldn't stop running into issues.

 Reactions to the event were lively on social media. Here is a sampling.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Antonio Brown

Tom Brady

New York Jets

NFL - Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Jets - 01/02/2022

National Football League

Jennifer Hale

Jay Glazer