Free-agent NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown is still looking to latch on with a team following a drama-filled past two years off the field. The embattled seven-time Pro Bowler has now crossed one thing off his to-do list.
Antonio Brown pleads no contest in battery case
This case stems from an incident in Florida back in January. Brown was ultimately arrested by authorities after he allegedly got in a confrontation with a moving truck driver outside of his Hollywood home.
The incident gained national attention due to a standoff between Brown and authorities following the alleged incident.
According to TMZ Sports, Brown has now pleaded no contest to battery charges. He was sentenced to two years probation and will have to do 100 hours of community service while taking part in a 13-week anger management class.
Off-field issues have derailed Antonio Brown’s previously dominant career
Once considered a lock for the Hall of Fame, Brown found himself in a spat with then Pittsburgh Steelers teammate Ben Roethlisberger back in 2018. If forced Pittsburgh to trade him to the Raiders for pennies on the dollar.
Brown’s issues did not stop there. In his short time with the Raiders, Brown got into it with general manager Mike Mayock. He was ultimately released by the team without having played a single game.
Signed by the New England Patriots ahead of the 2019 season, Brown ultimately played one game for the team before allegations of sexual assault became public record. He was released in short order.
Add in Brown’s strange activities on social media and other off-field incidents, and he’s seen as an unstable individual. Despite this, there’s some interest in his services. From an on-field perspective, that makes sense.
Antonio Brown’s dominant statistical run
From 2013-18, the former Central Michigan standout averaged 114 receptions for north of 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns. Statistically speaking, it was the greatest six-year run for a receiver in NFL history.
Still only 31 years old, the hope here is that Brown can turn things around off the field and resume a career that was once destined to culminate in a trip to Canton.