Former NFL player Antonio Brown stirred controversy by asserting he was attacked in an attempted theft outside a Miami boxing event, during which gunfire was allegedly heard.
Videos of the Friday night turmoil spread across social media, depicting a group of individuals swarming Brown, and footage appeared to show him being led away in handcuffs by a police officer.
Brown, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment, was freed 20 minutes later, according to TMZ.
Brown explained on X early Saturday, “I was attacked by several people who aimed to rob me of my jewelry and inflict harm. Contrary to some circulating videos, police detained me briefly until they heard my account and subsequently released me.”
“I WENT HOME THAT NIGHT AND WAS NOT ARRESTED. I will be talking to my legal council and attorneys on pressing charges on the individuals that jumped me. I will keep you all posted step-by-step on the process. Thank you for the support and love.”
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The incident unfolded around midnight as Brown left a Brand Risk boxing event hosted by streamer Aldin Ross.
One clip posted on X by @ONLYinDADE appeared to show Brown brawling with several men before falling. He then gets off the ground and kicks a man, according to the footage. The man was later identified during Ross’ live stream as a member of the security team.
In other videos, loud banging noises can be heard, with people proclaiming in the footage that “shots” had been fired.
The incident is under investigation, the Miami Police Department said in a statement, noting its received an alert around 3 a.m. via the department’s ShotSpotter technology. No arrests have been made and no one was injured, cops said.
Brown appeared to return to Ross’ live stream after the violent episode, more videos showed.
Ross can be seen in one clip asking a shirtless Brown if he wanted to do “story time,” with the footballer mumbling before dropping the mic and walking away.
Brown later declared in the video that “nothing happened” when asked about the incident outside the event, and claimed he “blacked out.”
The former Steelers, Patriots and Buccaneers receiver has become a lightning rod for controversy since his career ended in 2021, making many eye-grabbing comments on X account including criticizing Taylor Swift and WNBA player Caitlin Clark, among others.
Brown, 36, posted a half-naked alleged photo from singer Keyshia Cole in February.
Additional reporting by Rich Calder
