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Antonio Brown: 'I Didn't Quit' on Bucs; 'I Was Cut' for Not Playing Through Injury

Doric SamJanuary 6, 2022

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 03: Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Antonio Brown attends the game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half at Barclays Center on January 03, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Brooklyn Nets 118-104.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Antonio Brown broke his silence Wednesday following Sunday's dispute with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In a statement released via his attorney Sean Burstyn, the wide receiver explained that he took off his jersey and ran across the field during Tampa Bay's game against the New York Jets because head coach Bruce Arians had cut him.

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter

Statement from Antonio Brown via his attorney ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/seanburstyn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@seanburstyn</a>⁩: <a href="https://t.co/pJ3VGFBjSy">pic.twitter.com/pJ3VGFBjSy</a>

Brown said he felt like he couldn't reenter the game because of his lingering ankle injury and that Arians reacted angrily and cut him on the spot.

"I didn't quit. I was cut. I didn't walk away from my brothers. I was thrown out," Brown's statement read.

In his statement, Brown alleged that the Buccaneers organization is involved in a cover-up regarding his ankle injury.

"As part of their ongoing cover-up, they are acting like I wasn't cut and now demanding that I see a doctor of their choice to examine my ankle," Brown wrote. "What they did not know until now is that on Monday morning I had an urgent MRI on my ankle."

According to Brown, the MRI revealed "broken bone fragments stuck in my ankle, the ligament torn from the bone, and cartilage loss." He indicated that he will undergo surgery and already scheduled his procedure.

Brown's actions Sunday drew the ire of pundits far and wide who speculated on the reasons behind them. Many wondered about the validity of his injury or whether mental health was an issue.

Burstyn took to Twitter with a lengthy thread to dispel the things that were being said about his client.

Sean Burstyn @seanburstyn

Antonio Brown never faked an injury in his life. It is incredible that people are pushing false rumors that what happened Sunday was the result of mental health issues and not a well known ankle injury. Mental health is important, but so is basic dignity. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CutAndCage?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CutAndCage</a> 1/6

Brown stated that he intends to continue his NFL career and expects to recover from ankle surgery in time for next season.

"Once my surgery is complete, I'll be back to 100% and looking forward to next season," he wrote. "Business gonna be BOOMIN!"