Former NFL player Antonio Brown has returned to Miami to face an attempted murder charge related to a shooting incident in May. Brown’s attorney has entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf. Jail records show that Brown was released in Essex County, N.J., to be transferred to Florida. He had agreed to extradition from New Jersey after being arrested in Dubai.
Mark Eiglarsh, Brown’s lawyer, confirmed the submission of a written not guilty plea to the attempted murder charge. Brown is expected to appear in a Miami court for a bond hearing as early as Wednesday. The arrest warrant alleges that Brown took a handgun from a security staff member after a boxing match on May 16 and fired two shots at a man he had a prior altercation with, grazing the victim’s neck.
Eiglarsh stated that Brown acted in self-defense against the alleged victim’s violent behavior, emphasizing that Brown was attacked that night. The victim identified Brown as the shooter on May 21, days after the incident occurred. Brown had been residing in Dubai for several months, as indicated by his social media activity.
Facing a second-degree attempted murder charge in Florida, Brown could potentially receive a 15-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine upon conviction. Throughout his NFL career spanning 12 years, Brown achieved significant milestones as an All-Pro wide receiver, primarily playing for Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay. Notably, he garnered 928 receptions, over 12,000 receiving yards, and 88 total touchdowns.
Brown has encountered various legal issues in the past, including allegations of battery against a moving truck driver, domestic violence charges, and failure to pay child support. His football career took a controversial turn in 2021 during a game against the New York Jets, where he removed his gear and abruptly left the field, leading to his release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and effectively ending his time in the NFL.