While Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown is serving a three-game suspension for possessing a fake COVID-19 vaccination card, the NFL star is reportedly among more than 90% of players who are vaccinated this season.
The league opened an investigation on Nov. 18 after Brown’s former personal chef accused the All-Pro receiver of submitting a fake vaccination card to the team. Brown denied the accusation and the Buccaneers released a statement saying their review process found no irregularities in any of the vaccination cards submitted by players.
But Brown and teammate Mike Edwards, along with former Buccaneers’ receiver John Franklin III, received a three-game suspension Thursday for violating the joint COVID-19 protocols agreed upon by the NFL and NFL Players Association.
- Antonio Brown stats (2021): 29 receptions, 418 receiving yards, 14.4 ypc, four touchdowns
One key element of the suspension, all three players agreed to serve it immediately rather than pursuing an appeal. On Friday, head coach Bruce Arians said the team will address Brown and Edwards’ futures with the team when they return from the suspension.
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Brown’s attorney released a statement saying that the 33-year-old wide receiver is vaccinated and his client accepted the league’s discipline simply to address the matter promptly. It turns out, per ESPN, that seems to be the case.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the NFL investigation determined that Brown brought a fake vaccination card with him to training camp. But after being told that it could land him in trouble legally and with the NFL, Brown decided to get vaccinated before the regular season began.
While the Buccaneers’ offense has missed Brown’s impact, the suspension might actually benefit the veteran wide receiver. He hasn’t played since Week 6 due to ankle and foot injuries, issues that have kept him out much longer than initially anticipated.
But the Buccaneers announced before Thursday’s suspension that Brown ould be sidelined for two more games, with caution being taken in order to ensure he returns fully healthy. Now sidelined for three games, Brown is eligible to return in Week 16 and there won’t be any physical limitations in the playoffs.