Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown has been suspended three games for violating NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 protocol, the league announced Thursday.
The league and the players' union found that Brown was among three players who misrepresented their vaccination status. A former personal chef at Brown said earlier this month that the wide receiver had obtained a fake COVID-19 vaccination card over the summer.
Also suspended for three games were the Buccaneers' backup safety Mike Edwards and free-agent wide receiver John Franklin III, who were waived by Tampa Bay in August. According to the NFL, all three players accepted their discipline and will not appeal.
Brown and Edwards' suspensions are without pay. Both will be eligible to return to the Buccaneers lineup for the team's December 26 game against the Carolina Panthers. The NFL and the NFLPA negotiated the length of the suspension ahead of Thursday's announcement, sources told ESPN's Dan Graziano.
A source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that all three players have now been vaccinated and the league admitted to wrongdoing in the investigation process.
"The NFL-NFLPA jointly reinforces its commitment and stresses the importance of strict adherence to protocol to protect the well-being of all those associated with the NFL," the league and the players' union said in a statement.
The league's investigation found that Brown had brought a fake vaccination card with him to training camp, but shortly after his arrival someone told him someone could get him into trouble, so he decided to get vaccinated, sources said. told Graziano.
Brown's attorney, Sean Burstyn, said in a statement that Brown "continues to support the vaccine for any person for whom it is appropriate."
"The NFL made its determination and, instead of going through the drawn out and distracting process of challenging the result, Mr Brown wrapped it up immediately and he would make the most of this time by treating his ankle injury." Burstyn said. "Mr. Brown will be motivated, well rested, and in the best shape of his life when he returns at week 16."
A source told ESPN's Adam Schaffter on Wednesday that Brown was not expected to play in the next two games due to an ankle and heel injury that had kept him out for the seventh week.
Chef Steven Ruiz said earlier this month that Brown had his girlfriend, model Sidney Morrow, contact him over the summer to obtain fake vaccination cards. After Ruiz was unable to obtain a counterfeit card for Brown, he said a few weeks later the wide receiver showed him he had it for himself and Morrow said that Brown said he had bought.
Ruiz told ESPN that Brown obtained his fake vaccine card from a Buccaneers teammate. Ruiz declined to name the other player.
Burstyn denied that Brown had obtained a fake vaccine card.
When asked about his vaccine card on the Richard Sherman podcast on Wednesday, Brown said, "That's the sad part. The country says, 'You're innocent until proven guilty,' but you're guilty until you're innocence." Showing up, because anything anyone says, everyone is already exaggerating it, and if you come out and say anything, you just put yourself in a deep hole because now it's like that.. . I have learned to feel that criticism is answered with achievement. When people criticize you, there is no need to react or worry..."
A day after Ruiz's initial allegation, Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said the team did "due diligence" in examining players' vaccine cards, adding, "I don't think it's a story."
"We appreciate the timely handling of this matter by the league and recognize the importance of the health and safety protocols that have been established. We will continue to implement all league COVID-19 protocols," the Buccaneers said in a statement on Thursday. "
Sources told Graziano that about 80% of NFL vaccinated players were vaccinated at team facilities, meaning there is no question about the authenticity of their vaccination cards. Sources said the NFL also found that there is no difference between positivity rates among players vaccinated at team facilities and players vaccinated elsewhere, which is why the league has been largely criticized for issuing fake vaccination cards. is not afraid of.
During the 2020 season, the Buccaneers' mantra was to "defeat the virus". In September, Arians reported that all players and staff members had received the COVID-19 vaccine, becoming the second NFL team to do so.
While Brown did not publicly discuss his vaccination status, Edwards wore a mask when meeting with reporters at the start of training camp, which is required for players who are not vaccinated. When asked about his vaccination status, Edwards said at the time, "I don't really want to talk about vaccinations, really. It's what it is. I really don't want to get into it."
Asked if he would change his mind, Edwards said, "I don't know. We'll see." After that, Edwards did not wear a mask while talking to reporters.
Edwards, who has lined up in safety and Nickelback, forced a mess in last week's win over the Indianapolis Colts and led the team with three interceptions. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 2 after recording two pick-sixes against the Atlanta Falcons.
Now with the Seattle Seahawks, running back Adrian Peterson still playing for 'love of the game'
Renton, Wash. — Four days after he was pardoned by the Tennessee Titans last week, Adrian Peterson went to Stillwater to visit his alma mater, Oklahoma, rival Oklahoma State. He was getting out of his car to begin tailgating when his agent called to tell him that the Seattle Seahawks were interested in signing him.
Pietersen's response: "I'll be good to go. Obviously, I still want to play."
On Thursday, a day after joining Seattle's practice squad, the trailing veteran was asked why he still wants to play in a Hall of Fame career at age 36 & more than 14 seasons.
"Just love for the game," he said. "I love sports. I feel like I can still compete at a high level. Just having the opportunity to help teams, inspire people. It's one of the most rewarding things. When I see people , & they tell me, 'Man, just keep doing what you are doing,' that's so inspiring."
Asked what he still wants to achieve, Pietersen said, "Winning a championship." According to ESPN's Football Power Index, he is no longer going to get that chance with the Seahawks (3-8), as his chances of making the playoffs are less than 1%.
But he could contribute to a blistering backfield that has been marred by injuries to Rashad Penny & Travis Homer. They are backing Alex Collins, who has been a starter since Chris Carson went down with a neck injury.
Pietersen, who signed with the Titans after losing star Derrick Henry to a leg injury, scored 27 times for 82 yards and three games before waiving touchdowns.
"I really don't feel like I showed much in Tennessee," he said. "But before I was released, I felt like my feet got under me. I felt like I was going to the Patriots [last week's game], that was the week I was going to be able to blossom or Unfortunately I was released."
With Penny and Homer on Monday night, Collins and DJ Dallas combined for only 18 yards on 10 carries in a loss to the Seahawks to Washington. Seattle is ranked 25th in the race this season & has only scored 26 points during a three-game loss.
"It's style offense & how their run game is, it fits my style a little more than Tennessee," Peterson said. "So I think it will be an easy adjustment for me."
Behind Collins, Penny, Dallas and Homer on their active roster, the Seahawks have rookie Josh Johnson and now Peterson in their practice squad.
"I thought it was a lot that I could add to the run game and inspire these young guys as well," Pietersen said. "When they see me going out full speed during my 14-year-old's walk-through, it makes my tempo go up a little bit more. I think I'll be able to run. Room and this walk Help move the game forward."
When that could happen, Pietersen wants to play against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, although it's unclear whether he will be ready in time in a shorter week, or if the Seahawks will need him immediately as both Penny and Homer were on Thursday. listed as full participants.
"It's a goal for me," Pietersen said of Sunday's play, "but it's up to the coaches and staff to decide how I finish this week and then they'll make a decision based on that."
The Seahawks are Peterson's seventh team. After spending his first 10 seasons in Minnesota, he worked with Arizona, New Orleans, Washington and Detroit before his most recent one in Tennessee.
Peterson ranks fifth in NFL history with 14,902 career rushing yards. According to Spottrack.com, he has amassed over $103 million in on-field earnings in his 14-plus seasons. However, a lawyer for Peterson said in 2019 that it was "in debt to run back after trusting the wrong people and being taken advantage of by those who trusted."