Players ask for empathy, help for Antonio Brown after on-field incident
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By Natalie Dreier and Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
After an on-field incident by now-former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown, other players, including some teammates are asking to show the standout empathy and are asking for help for him.
Brown was, according to Coach Bruce Arians, “no longer a Buc” after Brown left Sunday’s game against the New York Jets during the third quarter with only 2:51 remaining.
At the time the Buccaneers were losing 24-10, but came back to win, beating the Jets 28-24.
Despite attempts from Mike Evans and O.J. Howard to calm Brown down, Brown stripped off his jersey, shoulder pads, undershirt and gloves, according to ESPN. He threw his gloves and undershirt to fans in the stands, ran across the end zone and went to the locker room.
The Tampa Bay Times reported Brown had been benched by Arians before he left the field.
However Arians said Brown refused to go into the game, The Wall Street Journal reported and that’s when Arians told Brown to get out.
Yahoo Sports reported Monday that Brown had an injury that he didn’t think he should be playing with. He said he had hurt his ankle and had been off because of that, at nearly the same time as he served a suspension for a fake vaccine card. He had injured it again in practice.
However, Arians, when asked about the ankle injury, said on Monday that Brown didn’t talk about his ankle hurting before Brown left the game.
Kansas City Chiefs practice squad wide receiver Daurice Fountain said that Brown needs help with his mental health, saying that chronic traumatic encephalopathy could be to blame, WDAF reported.
Brown has not been diagnosed with CTE, which according to the Mayo Clinic, can only be diagnosed after death, WDAF reported.
Shortly after the game, Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady said that it was a difficult situation.
“I think everybody should do what they can to help him in ways he really needs it. We all love him. We care about him deeply. We want to see him be at his best, and unfortunately, it won’t be with our team,” Brady said.
Through the years PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 6: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown by jumping on the goal post during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Heinz Field on December 6, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Through the years SAN FRANCISCO, CA - FEBRUARY 05: NFL player Antonio Brown attends ESPN The Party on February 5, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Mike Windle/Getty Images for ESPN) (Mike Windle/Getty Images for ESPN)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 14: Variety's Female Sports Personality of the Year Laila Ali (L) and Variety's Male Sports Personality of the Year Antonio Brown attend the Variety's Sports Entertainment Breakfast presented by Mercedes-Benz at Vibiana on July 14, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images for Variety) (Chelsea Lauren)
Through the years SAN FRANCISCO, CA - FEBRUARY 06: NFL player Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers accepts the NFL.com fantasy player of the year award presented by SAP onstage during the 5th Annual NFL Honors at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on February 6, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images) (Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
Through the years HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 29: (L-R) Former professional soccer player Thierry Henry, NFL player Rob Gronkowski, former NFL player Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson, and NFL player Antonio Brown attend as athletes and YouTube stars team for DOOM Videogame Tournament at Siren Studios on March 29, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Bethesda Softworks) (Jonathan Leibson)
Through the years HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 29: NFL player Antonio Brown attends as athletes and YouTube stars team for DOOM Videogame Tournament at Siren Studios on March 29, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Bethesda Softworks) (Jonathan Leibson)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES - MAY 16: Antonio Brown and Sharna Burgess attend the Dancing With The Stars Semi Finals Episode Celebration at Mixology Grill and Lounge on May 16, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Earl Enterprises) (Jesse Grant)
Through the years PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 08: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after scoring his second touchdown during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Wild Card game at Heinz Field on January 8, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Through the years PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 08: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs up field as James Bradberry #24 of the Carolina Panthers attempts a tackle during the first half in the game at Heinz Field on November 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Through the years PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 16: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a 17 yard touchdown reception in the first quarter during the game against the New England Patriots at Heinz Field on December 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Through the years GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 15: Wide receiver Antonio Brown #84 of the Oakland Raiders warms up before the NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Through the years MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 15: Wide Receiver Antonio Brown #17 of the New England Patriots warms up prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Through the years MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 15: Antonio Brown #17 of the New England Patriots scores a 20 yard touchdown thrown by Tom Brady #12 against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Through the years MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 15: Antonio Brown #17 of the New England Patriots celebrates with Tom Brady #12 after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Through the years MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 15: Antonio Brown #17 of the New England Patriots celebrates with Tom Brady #12 after catching a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) (Eric Espada/Getty Images)
Through the years TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 08: Antonio Brown #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) (ME/Getty Images)
Through the years TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 23: Antonio Brown #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers misses a catch during the third quarter in the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Raymond James Stadium on November 23, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Through the years TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 03: Antonio Brown #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Through the years TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 03: Antonio Brown #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walks off the field after wining a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Through the years TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Antonio Brown #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up before Super Bowl LV against the Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)