Former American football star Antonio Brown has entered a not guilty plea to a serious charge of attempted murder, as he prepares to face a Miami court.
The Incident and Arrest
The charges stem from an altercation in May, following a celebrity boxing match. According to an arrest warrant, Brown is accused of grabbing a handgun from a security staffer and firing two shots at a man, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, with whom he had fought earlier. The alleged victim reported to investigators that one of the bullets grazed his neck.
Brown was not immediately arrested, as police initially did not identify Nantambu as a victim. It was only after Nantambu provided a full statement to police later in May, identifying Brown as the shooter, that the warrant was issued. Brown was first taken into custody in Dubai, where he had been living for several months, before being transferred to the United States.
Legal Proceedings and Defence
Jail records from Essex County, New Jersey, confirm that Brown was released on Tuesday morning for his transfer to Florida, having waived extradition. His lawyer, Mark Eiglarsh, has already filed a written not guilty plea on his behalf. Brown could appear in a Miami courtroom for a bond hearing as early as Wednesday.
Eiglarsh has stated that his client's actions were taken in self-defence. "The actions he was forced to take were solely in self-defence against the alleged victim’s violent behaviour," Eiglarsh said in an email. "Brown was attacked that night and acted within his legal right to protect himself." This aligns with a social media post Brown made after the altercation, where he claimed he was "jumped by multiple individuals who tried to steal my jewelry and cause physical harm to me."
Potential Consequences and Past Troubles
If convicted, Brown faces severe penalties. A second-degree attempted murder charge in Florida carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
This is not the first time the former athlete has encountered legal difficulties. His past issues include accusations of battery against a truck driver, several domestic violence charges, and failure to pay child support. His professional football career effectively ended in 2021 during a game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the New York Jets, when he stripped off his jersey and ran off the field, leading to his release from the team.
During his 12-year career in the NFL, Brown was one of the league's most popular players. He spent most of his tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an All-Pro wide receiver, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and making 928 receptions for over 12,291 yards, which places him 28th on the all-time list.
