TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Fans were left confused during Sunday’s football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets when Bucs wide receiver Antonio Brown was spotted stripping his pads and shirt before running into the locker room mid-game.
According to a tweet from Bleacher Report, Brown took his jersey off, threw it into the stands and walked off the field during the game’s third quarter. The score at the time was 10 – 24 with the Bucs trailing by 14.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown wipes his face as he leaves the field after throwing his equipment into the stands while his team is on offense during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Andrew Mills/NJ Advance Media via AP) -
A N.J. State Police trooper, background, watches as Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) throws his gloves into the stands while his team’s offense is on the field against the New York Jets during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Andrew Mills/NJ Advance Media via AP) -
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) gestures to the crowd as he leaves the field while his team’s offense is on the field against the New York Jets during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. Brown left the game and did not return. (Andrew Mills/NJ Advance Media via AP) -
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John "Florida Man" Munson) -
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, left, throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John "Florida Man" Munson) -
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Mike Evans, left, celebrates his touchdown with Antonio Brown (81) during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin) -
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, left, celebrates with Mike Evans after Evans scored a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John "Florida Man" Munson) -
New York Jets’ Bryce Hall, left, tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Antonio Brown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
In the first question of the post-game game interviews, Bucs head coach Bruce Arians said, “He is no longer a Buc. That’s the end of the story.” He jokingly added the Bucs have been in some “crazy situations” but their game against the Jets was “a very special one.”
Later in the post-game interview, Bucs quarterback Tom Brady said, “I think everybody should do what they can to help him in ways that he really needs.” Brady added, “I think everyone should be very compassionate and empathetic towards some very difficult things that are happening.”
Earlier in the season, Brown and safety Mike Edwards were each suspended three games for misrepresenting their vaccination status under the NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 Protocol. Brown also has a history of personal conduct issues and bizarre behavior.
The Bucs ultimately won the game, 28-24.
