Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown is facing serious legal troubles as he returns to Miami to address an attempted murder charge related to a shooting incident that occurred in May. His lawyer, Mark Eiglarsh, has already filed a not guilty plea on his behalf as they prepare for upcoming court proceedings.
According to jail records from Essex County, New Jersey, Brown was released late Tuesday morning for his transfer to Florida after waiving extradition. He had been arrested in Dubai and brought back to the U.S. to face the charges. Brown is expected to appear in a Miami courtroom for a bond hearing as early as Wednesday morning.
The arrest warrant outlines allegations against Brown, stating that he grabbed a handgun from a security staff member after a celebrity boxing match on May 16, 2023, and fired two shots at Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, a man with whom he had engaged in a fistfight earlier that night. Nantambu reported that one of the shots grazed his neck. Eiglarsh claims that Brown acted in self-defense against violent behavior from Nantambu.
Furthermore, Eiglarsh emphasized that Brown was merely protecting himself during the altercation, which he described as an attack against him. The police did not immediately arrest Brown following the incident, as Nantambu was not initially identified as a victim. It was not until May 21 that he provided a full statement identifying Brown as the shooter, according to the affidavit.
Before his recent legal predicaments, Brown had been living in Dubai for several months. He took to social media after the incident, claiming he was defending himself from multiple individuals who attempted to steal his jewelry and cause him physical harm.
The charge of second-degree attempted murder in Florida carries significant consequences, including a maximum prison sentence of 15 years and a fine of up to $10,000 upon conviction. Brown, who spent 12 years in the NFL, is well-known for his impressive career, having been a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and achieving over 12,000 receiving yards with 928 receptions. However, he has also faced a series of legal issues throughout his life.
Brown's legal troubles are not new; he has previously been accused of battery against a moving truck driver, domestic violence charges, failure to pay child support, and other incidents. His erratic behavior gained widespread media attention during a 2021 game against the New York Jets when he abruptly removed his jersey, shoulder pads, and gloves, leaving the field and subsequently getting released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, effectively ending his football career.
This ongoing case adds another layer of complexity to Brown's tumultuous journey, both on and off the field. As he makes his way back to Miami to confront these allegations, the sports world watches closely, given his once-storied career and the serious nature of the charges against him.
