NFL Suspends Antonio Brown, 2 Others For ‘Misrepresenting’ Covid Vaccination Status

Topline

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown and two others will be suspended for three games for misrepresenting their Covid-19 vaccination status, the National Football League announced Thursday, following an investigation into a November report that Brown provided a fake vaccination card to the Buccaneers.

Key Facts

Key Background

Brown’s former employee Steven Ruiz told the Tampa Bay Times in November that Brown’s girlfriend asked Ruiz to obtain fake vaccination cards for her and Brown. Though he was unable to provide the false proof of vaccination to the couple, Ruiz said Brown showed him fake vaccination cards over the summer. Following the November 18 report, Brown’s lawyer Sean Burstyn brushed away the allegation by telling reporters Brown is vaccinated, while the Buccaneers said they did not find any “irregularities” in their inspection of players’ vaccine cards. 

Chief Critic

Despite the NFL’s findings, Burstyn continued to deny the allegations against Brown in a statement to the NFL Network: “Mr. Brown is vaccinated and continues to support the vaccine for any person who is appropriate. The NFL made its determination and, instead of going through the drawn out and distracting process of challenging the outcome, Mr. Brown wrapped this up promptly.”

Further Reading

Bucs’ Antonio Brown accused of obtaining fake vaccine card (Tampa Bay Times)