Tampa Bay star Antonio Brown ripped his shirt off and left in the middle of his game against New York Jets. His coach said he is “no longer a Buc.” Tom Brady weighed in as well.
Tampa Bay wide receiver Antonio Brown caused quite a scene in his game against the New York Jets on January 2. After what appears to have been some drama on the sideline during the third quarter while his team was down by double digits, the NFL star ripped off his shoulder pads, shirt and gloves and tossed them into the bleachers. As he waved to the spectators, Antonio quickly exited the stadium, shocking both fans and his own teammates. It is unknown what caused him to quit the game in such a hasty fashion, especially since he had successfully caught three catches for a total of 26 yards.
Tampa Bay wide receiver Antonio Brown left in the middle of his game against the New York Jets on January 2. (Adam Hunger/AP/Shutterstock)
Meanwhile, Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians addressed the situation after the game, saying Antonio is “no longer a Buc,” according to several reports. Buccaneers quarterback and NFL legend Tom Brady also spoke out on the matter, saying, “That’s obviously a difficult situation. … We all love him and care about him deeply. I think everyone should be compassionate and empathetic toward some very difficult things.”
Antonio Brown took off his jersey, shirt and gloves on the field, then ran to the locker room.
He threw his shirt and gloves into the stands. pic.twitter.com/uiy9hveF7s
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 2, 2022
Fans immediately took to social media to give their take on the controversial move. One showed support for Antonio, saying his mental well-being needs to be taken more seriously. “We all know that Antonio Brown mental issues needs professional Help …it’s a shame that once number one receiver in the NFL is no longer in the NFL,” the user posted.
We all know that Antonio Brown mental issues needs professional Help …it’s a shame that once number one receiver in the NFL is no longer in the NFL
— Raw (@rawmizzy_) January 2, 2022
Another Twitter user pointed out the drama was definitely untimely for Antonio. “Antonio Brown needed: 8 more catches to unlock a $333,333 bonus. He also needed 55 receiving yards to unlock another $333,333 bonus. He also needed just 1 receiving TD to unlock another $333,333 bonus. This was a costly outburst.”
Antonio Brown needed:
8 more catches to unlock a $333,333 bonus.
He also needed 55 receiving yards to unlock another $333,333 bonus.
He also needed just 1 receiving TD to unlock another $333,333 bonus.
This was a costly outburst.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) January 2, 2022
With Antonio being known as a troublemaker in the past — he live streamed a private locker room speech back in 2017 while with the Pittsburgh Steelers — one user wrote, “WR Antonio Brown took his uniform off along with his equipment, threw it into the stands, and left the field. Of course he did.”
#Bucs WR Antonio Brown took his uniform off along with his equipment, threw it into the stands, and left the field. Of course he did.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 2, 2022
And another fan gave an alleged play-by-play on what happened when Antonio left the stadium. “security said Antonio Brown ran out of stadium shirtless &!into a police car to be escorted to flight by himself out of town away from the buccaneers! this after he tore off his jersey during game threw his shirt in the stands freaking out”
security said Antonio Brown ran out of stadium shirtless &!into a police car to be escorted to flight by himself out of town away from the buccaneers!
this after he tore off his jersey during game threw his shirt in the stands freaking out#bucs #BucsVsJets— Chris Myers (@The_ChrisMyers) January 2, 2022
This is a developing story…
.jpg "Converge Announce Second Album of 2026, Share New Song")
