No charges against ex-NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown

Freida Frisaro, The Associated Press

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — No charges will be filed against former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown following an alleged domestic incident at a Tampa home in late November, prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Investigators have completed a review of all available evidence and have decided to drop the misdemeanor assault charges, the Hillsborough County State’s Attorney’s Office said in a statement. A warrant for Brown’s arrest was also withdrawn.

Tampa police have asked the state’s attorney’s office for help in determining if there is probable cause to arrest Brown, 34, after a verbal altercation on Nov. 28.

A police report says Brown threw a shoe at a woman, tried to kick her out of the house, and locked her in.

“Based on the facts and circumstances known to both agencies following extensive on-site interviews with the alleged victim by law enforcement, it has been determined that probable cause exists to issue a warrant. ‘arrest on one count of a first-degree misdemeanor,’ the state’s attorney said.

Investigators requested an in-person sworn statement from the woman before making a final charging decision, which included the possibility of turning the charge into a felony. But in a Dec. 16 interview, the accuser backtracked on her previous allegations “concerning Mr. Brown’s intent to strike or cause bodily harm to her,” the statement said.

Investigators analyzed new information provided by the accuser, as well as body camera video of the scene, an investigation by Child Protective Services and the denial of a temporary protective order. The state’s attorney’s office then « determined that we could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that an act of violence took place, » the statement said.

The agency said domestic violence cases « are often difficult and involve conflicting evidence. »

Brown’s contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was terminated days after he threw his gear in the stands and left during a game on Jan. 2.

Brown said he was pressured to play injured, but Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians said Brown was upset he wasn’t focused enough with the ball.

Brown has a long history of troubled behavior on and off the field.

He was notably accused of sexual assault by two women, one of whom said Brown raped her.

During the 2021 season, he served a three-game suspension for failing to properly report his COVID-19 vaccination status.

He was also suspended for eight games in 2020 for multiple violations of the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.

He had pleaded uncontested to burglary and criminal mischief charges related to a fight with a moving truck driver outside his South Florida home.

Brown began his career with the Steelers; he was selected to seven Pro Bowls during his nine seasons with Pittsburgh. He was later traded to the Raiders but never played in a regular season game as he was released following several off-field incidents.

Then New England signed him but released him weeks later after a second woman in 10 days accused him of sexual misconduct.