In a patented Friday-afternoon news dump, the NFL announced that controversial wide receiver Antonio Brown has been suspended for the first eight games of the 2020 season.
In the vague announcement, the league said Brown was being banned for the first half of the 2020 season for violating the league’s Personal Conduct Policy.
Brown, who played just one game with the New England Patriots last season before being released after numerous sexual allegations against the 32-year-old — including a rape charge in an ongoing civil suit being brought by his former trainer — were made public, is currently a free agent.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Brown’s suspension takes effect Week 1 regardless of whether he is on a team’s roster, and could be extended if further violations are found related to the civil suit in Florida. He was also warned any future violation of the Personal Conduct Policy will likely result in more significant discipline.
More from the NFL on Antonio Brown’s eight-game suspension (at least). He’d be allowed to participate in training camp if a team signs him, with the suspension taking effect Sept. 5. pic.twitter.com/kXHbrkyBSo
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 31, 2020
If he is signed before the start of the 2020 season, Brown would be eligible to participate in his club’s preseason activities and the suspension would not go into effect until the final roster cutdown on September 5.
As part of the decision, the NFL also told Brown to continue complying with clinicians while getting counseling and treatment.
Since Tom Brady landed in Tampa Bay, there have been rumors that Brown is going to wind up signing with the Buccaneers. That seems unlikely, even though Brown and Brady have reportedly remained in “constant contact” since last season.
After attacking Patriots owner Robert Kraft in a Twitter rant following his release, it seems unlikely Brown will wind up back in New England (despite a subsequent apology) and also probably won’t return to the Raiders or Steelers.
The Seahawks, who have made it a habit of taking on troubled players, would seem to be a natural landing spot for Brown.
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