Players ask for empathy, help for Antonio Brown after on-field incident

After an on-field incident by now-former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown, other players, including some teammates are asking to show the standout empathy and are asking for help for him.

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Brown was, according to Coach Bruce Arians, “no longer a Buc” after Brown left Sunday’s game against the New York Jets during the third quarter with only 2:51 remaining.

At the time the Buccaneers were losing 24-10, but came back to win, beating the Jets 28-24.

>>Previous coverage: Bucs WR Antonio Brown off team after discarding jersey, exiting field

Despite attempts from Mike Evans and O.J. Howard to calm Brown down, Brown stripped off his jersey, shoulder pads, undershirt and gloves, according to ESPN. He threw his gloves and undershirt to fans in the stands, ran across the end zone and went to the locker room.

Well this is new pic.twitter.com/sf4wCRXQTc
— Sports by Tampa Bay Times (@TBTimes_Sports) January 2, 2022

The Tampa Bay Times reported Brown had been benched by Arians before he left the field.

However Arians said Brown refused to go into the game, The Wall Street Journal reported and that’s when Arians told Brown to get out.

Yahoo Sports reported Monday that Brown had an injury that he didn’t think he should be playing with. He said he had hurt his ankle and had been off because of that, at nearly the same time as he served a suspension for a fake vaccine card. He had injured it again in practice.

However, Arians, when asked about the ankle injury, said on Monday that Brown didn’t talk about his ankle hurting before Brown left the game.

Arians asked if Antonio told him his ankle was injured, Arians said no. "We had a conversation and he left the field." #GoBucs
— Sara Walsh (@Sara_Walsh) January 3, 2022

Arians was asked if he could share anything about the conversation he had right before AB left the field:
"No. Not at all." Arians clarified if a player has an injury issue, they go to the trainer and the trainer would tell Bruce they're out. #GoBucs
— Sara Walsh (@Sara_Walsh) January 3, 2022

Kansas City Chiefs practice squad wide receiver Daurice Fountain said that Brown needs help with his mental health, saying that chronic traumatic encephalopathy could be to blame, WDAF reported.

To all the people making fun of the AB situation is mad lame. Mental illness & CTE is REAL and unfortunately it’s a real reality for a lot of us in this business. Instead of making fun of him and chasing clout, let’s figure out a way to give him the HELP he needs.
— Daurice Fountain (@Reece_JMM) January 3, 2022

Brown has not been diagnosed with CTE, which according to the Mayo Clinic, can only be diagnosed after death, WDAF reported.

Shortly after the game, Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady said that it was a difficult situation.

“I think everybody should do what they can to help him in ways he really needs it. We all love him. We care about him deeply. We want to see him be at his best, and unfortunately, it won’t be with our team,” Brady said.

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