Antonio Brown Suspended 3 Games After NFL Says He Faked COVID Vax Card
Antonio Brown Suspended 3 Games ... After NFL Says He Faked COVID Vaccine Card
UPDATE
1:34 PM PT -- Burstyn just released another statement in the wake of the NFL's suspension, saying, "Mr. Brown is vaccinated and continues to support the vaccine for any person for whom it is appropriate."
UPDATE
"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 and he will make this most of this time by treating his ankle injury."
UPDATE
Burstyn continued, "Mr. Brown will be motivated, well rested, and in the best shape of his life when he returns in week 16."
The NFL says Antonio Brown did, in fact, submit a bogus vaccine card to the league ... and officials just announced he's now been suspended three games over it all.
Brown's chef, Steven Ruiz, claimed last month that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers star had sought and then obtained the fraudulent paper back in July -- but Brown was adamant Ruiz was lying.
In a statement, Brown's attorney, Sean Burstyn, said the 33-year-old was vaccinated and did have proper paperwork ... adding, "Be like Antonio brown and get the vaccine."
But, the NFL said in a statement of its own on Thursday that after investigating the claims ... it found Brown did "misrepresent" his vaccine status, explaining their review "supported" the allegations made against AB.
The league said Brown has now been banned from playing for the next three games -- adding that Brown has "accepted the discipline" and will not appeal.
The NFL also revealed two other players -- Buccaneers safety Mike Edwards and former Tampa Bay receiver and current free agent John Franklin III -- also misrepresented their vaccine statuses and were also suspended three games.
Brown has been out of the Bucs' lineup since October while battling an ankle injury, but prior to that, he had been shining with Tom Brady -- scoring four receiving TDs in five games.
Originally Published -- 1:21 PM PT
