NFLPA to look into Antonio Brown’s claims that Bucs are trying to cover up mismanagement

The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) will investigate Antonio Brown’s allegations that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are covering up practices of medical mismanagement, which the athlete said was the reason for his termination from the team and the cause of his abrupt exit off the field on Jan. 2.

The NFLPA told USA Today Sports that it was standard practice to investigate players’ allegations, but the organization had not heard from Brown yet, so it did not have any details.

In a move that shocked many on Sunday, Brown threw off his helmet and shirt and jogged off the field in the middle of a game with the New York Jets. People were quick to cite Brown’s history of sexual abuse allegations and his punishment for getting a fake vaccination card last year.

But on Wednesday, Brown released a sweeping statement accusing team management of injecting him with a painkiller and firing him for not playing with an injured ankle.

“I didn’t quit. I was cut,” Brown wrote in the statement through his attorney, saying he could no longer play with the ankle injury, to the dissatisfaction of the coaches. “I didn’t walk away from my brothers. I was thrown out.”

Statement from Antonio Brown via his attorney ⁦@seanburstyn⁩: pic.twitter.com/pJ3VGFBjSy

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 6, 2022

Brown said an MRI on Monday morning revealed “broken bone fragments” and a torn ligament. The athlete said the Bucs team needs to be “cleaned up” after they “threw me out like an animal.”

On Thursday, the Bucs officially terminated Brown, ESPN reported, and disputed his claim that he was fired for not playing with an injury.

Coach Bruce Arians told ESPN that Brown was cleared to play — but the player quit because he was upset over not getting the ball during the football game. Arians said Brown complained about not getting the ball and said, “I ain’t playing,” so Arians made a slashing motion over his throat, signaling the player was fired.

But the ankle injury never came up during the game, Arians told ESPN.

“At no point during that game did he ever ask the trainer or doctor about his ankle — that’s the normal protocol,” Arians said Thursday. “We go through protocols during games. I was never notified of it.”