NBC Sports reporter Peter King has more details about what transpired between Bucs head coach Bruce Arians and Antonio Brown regarding the sideline incident that prompted the troubled wide receiver to take off his shoulder pads and exit the game. King spoke with Arians after the game for his Football Morning In America column – just hours after the head coach cut Brown for insubordination during Tampa Bay’s 28-24 win over the Jets in New York.
“It’s a shame,” Arians told King. “I feel bad for him. He just can’t help himself.”
The following is an excerpt from King’s column.
Brown may need professional help, but it’s impossible to project that from the outside. What he did Sunday was irrational and almost scary.
This is what happened on a strange afternoon in New Jersey:
With about 3:30 left in the third quarter, the Bucs driving and the Jets leading 24-10, Arians said he asked Brown to go back in the game. According to Arians, Brown said, “Nope. I’m not going in.” The Athletic reported Brown’s ankle was sore, and that’s the reason why he wouldn’t go in. Whatever the reason, Arians told me he was “very” angry with Brown, who went to the bench area and began taking off his jersey and pads. At first, vet receiver Mike Evans tried to stop Brown, but, according to Arians, “he had that look in his eye that I haven’t seen for a long time.” Evans couldn’t stop Brown, who took his jersey, pads and black T-shirt off, tossing the shirt into the stands. He left the field, giving the peace sign to fans as he went up the end zone tunnel.
Arians said that he knew Brown had left the field in the third quarter, and so did Evans, but that he didn’t think quarterback Tom Brady knew at the time. Brady wound up leading the Bucs on a 93-yard game-winning touchdown drive that was capped off with a 33-yard scoring strike to Cyril Grayson, Jr. with 15 seconds remaining.
“It’s all a credit to Tom,” Arians told King. “Give the Jets credit. They played their asses off, but Tom never blinked. He’s the MVP of this league.”
Arians revealed to King what he told his team following the win in the locker room.
“You’re either with us or against us,” Arians said. “And I want you to know I’ll take the guys in this locker room and go play anyone in the world.”