So much for appreciating a team going out on a limb for you when no other team would.
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown, who added the Bucs to a growing list of teams he has had a contentious departure with, is now planning legal action against the organization over his release.
Brown and his attorney, Sean Burstyn, said that is their plan during an appearance on HBO’s ‘Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel’.
Burstyn said they will pursue money for Brown’s ankle surgery and money they feel he is owed by the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, and is also exploring a civil lawsuit, for defamation, for the team claiming Brown had a spontaneous mental health episode.
“Antonio was defamed by this spin that he had a mental health episode that makes him someone who’s not reliable to do a good job on the field,” Burstyn said, according to ESPN’s Jenna Laine. “So we’re pursuing internally all of our rights under the CBA and considering them and maybe stepping outside of the CBA.
“All of our options are on the table. We’re going to hold to account the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bruce Arians, the general manager to the extent anyone who’s responsible for this spin that Antonio isn’t reliable to do a good job playing football because he doesn’t have the mental fortitude to do it. They’ll be held to account.”
Brown did not give a number as to what they are asking for in these actions, but indicated it was a lot.
“A whole lot of money. A whole lot,” Brown said. “So to drag people along and play on people’s mental health, you know, is so unfair and unfortunate.”
Brown fought against Bruce Arians claims that Brown was upset about his lack of targets.
“I’m not worried about the ball,” Brown said. “Tom Brady is my guy. He’s the reason I’m on Tampa Bay, so I know I’m gonna get the ball.”
Gumbel tried to add in, but Brown kept talking. “I’m gonna get the ball. Now. I’m Antonio Brown. You know, I’m a receiver. I get the ball. I got a million dollars on the line that I had to reach, sir.”
Gumbel said, “Well, that’s what I’m asking you. Could you have potentially earned bonus money if you had been targeted more and had more catches and more yardage in the Jets game?”
Burstyn stepped in. “Under the contract?” he said. “Yes. If he was physically able to continue playing.”
“These guys at the Tampa Bay Bucs tried to make an agreement with me to give me $200,000 to go to the crazy house so these guys could look like they know what they were talking about,” Brown said.
“I have mental wealth, man. I know a lot of people may not understand me, know how I look at things or don’t know how I react [to] emotional things, but it’s not for them to understand me. I’ve got a beautiful family, kids and people all across the world that look up to me, and it’s no reason I’m in this position at this point.”
