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Antonio Brown
Photo:
Andrew Mills / AP
Football player Antonio Brown made his first statement after his uncontrolled exit in the NFL game of his Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the New York Jets.
Brown said in a statement through his attorney that his injured ankle and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 'cover-up' of his condition were the reason for his departure from the sideline at MetLife Stadium during the game.
Brown claimed the Buccaneers were aware of the severity of his ankle injury, and an MRI scan showed that "there were broken shards of bone in my ankle, the ligament was torn from the bone, and cartilage was lost, which is more than painful."
In his statement on Wednesday, Brown said, “Because of my dedication to the game, I've given in to direct pressure from my coach to play injured.
Despite the pain, I got dressed, the coaching staff injected me with a strong and sometimes dangerous pain reliever that the NFLPA warned against, and I gave everything for the team.
I played until it became clear that I could no longer use my ankle to safely perform my duties as a player.
In addition, the pain was extreme. "
Brown alleged in the statement that coach Bruce Arians also exchanged texts with Brown right before the game, discussing the injury.
He described the situation of the scandal in the declaration as follows:
“I took a seat on the sidelines and my coach came up to me, very upset, and said, 'What's wrong with you?
What's wrong with you?'
I told him, 'It's my ankle.'
But he knew that.
It was well documented and we discussed it.
He then ordered me to go out onto the field.
I said, 'Coach, I can't.'
He didn't call for a doctor.
Instead, he yelled at me, 'You're done,' while running a finger down his throat. "
Brown caused quite a stir
Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians disagreed that Brown stormed off the field because of the ankle injury.
The 33-year-old Brown left the game against New York in the third quarter angrily and took off his jersey.
Brown tossed his shirt and gloves to fans in the stands.
Then he hopped around in front of the stands a few more times and waved to the visibly confused spectators.
Then, shirtless, he jogged into the catacombs of the MetLife Stadium.
Brown had repeatedly caused a stir in the past and received considerable fines for misconduct, including off the pitch, including charges of rape.
Most recently, Brown was sentenced to three games suspension from the league for a forged vaccination card.
Although the Buccaneers made it clear after beating the New York Jets that Brown was "no longer a Buc," no official transaction was made.
ara / dpa / rtr