Ex-NFL star Antonio Brown pleads not guilty to attempted murder charge after shooting

Former NFL star Antonio Brown has returned to Miami to face an attempted murder charge following a May shooting incident. Brown’s lawyer, Mark Eiglarsh, has filed a not guilty plea on his behalf. Brown was released from jail in Essex County, New Jersey, and waived extradition to Florida from where he was arrested in Dubai.

Eiglarsh stated that he has already submitted a written not guilty plea for Brown in response to the attempted murder charge. Brown is expected to appear in a Miami courtroom for a bond hearing soon. The arrest warrant alleges that Brown grabbed a handgun from a security staffer after a celebrity boxing match on May 16 and fired two shots at a man he had previously fought with. The victim, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, reported that one of the bullets grazed his neck.

Eiglarsh defended Brown’s actions, claiming that he was acting in self-defense against someone he had previous issues with. Brown was not immediately arrested after the incident as Nantambu was not initially identified as a victim. It wasn’t until May 21 that Nantambu provided a full statement to the police, identifying Brown as the shooter.

Brown, who had been residing in Dubai for several months based on his social media posts, stated that he was defending himself from individuals who attempted to steal his jewelry and harm him physically. A second-degree attempted murder charge in Florida carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine upon conviction.

The former All-Pro wide receiver spent 12 years in the NFL, playing for teams like Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh. Brown had an impressive career with 928 receptions, over 12,000 yards, and 88 total touchdowns. However, he has faced legal issues in the past, including charges of battery, domestic violence, failure to pay child support, and other incidents.

One of the most infamous incidents involving Brown occurred during a game in 2021 against the New York Jets, where he abruptly left the field, leading to his release from the Buccaneers and effectively ending his football career. Brown’s legal troubles continue to overshadow his once-promising football career as he navigates through the attempted murder charge in Miami.