Antonio Brown avoids jail by pleading guilty to lesser charge in Miami shooting
Antonio Brown in 2021 in Philadelphia.Mitchell Leff / GettyShareAdd NBC News to GoogleNov. 6, 2026, 1:00 PM EST / Updated Nov. 6, 2026, 3:25 PM ESTBy David K. LiFormer NFL star wide receiver Antonio Brown, accused of opening fire at a man in Miami last year, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge on Friday in a deal that’ll keep troubled former player out of prison.
Brown pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a firearm in exchange for doing 3 years of probation.
He must undergo a mandatory psychological evaluation and undergo weekly counseling if mandated.
Brown is “extremely grateful that this is finally behind us” and that an attempted murder charge was removed, defense attorney Mark Eiglarsh told reporters.
“My client was facing 30 years in prison with a 20-year minimum mandatory and he was given an offer he just couldn’t refuse,” Eiglarsh added. “Probation was too good to turn down, and we’re both very excited about the outcome.”
A representative for the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office could not be immediately reached for comment on Friday.
Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu told police that one of the rounds grazed his neck. The victim had said he didn’t want Brown prosecuted and wanted the case to be closed.
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Brown last played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2021 season and in what turned out to be his final game, famously stormed off the field bare chested.
In that Jan. 3, 2022, game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians asked Brown to enter the game.
When Brown refused, Arians told him to leave the field — and the player did so in a spectacular meltdown.
He removed his jersey, shoulder pads, undershirt and gloves before flashing a peace sign during his exit in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
David K. LiSenior Breaking News Reporter
