Former Bucs Player Antonio Brown Won't Face Domestic Violence Charges

TAMPA, FL — A warrant for the arrest of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown, 34, on a charge of domestic violence has been dropped.

The charges stemmed from an accusation of domestic violence at Brown's Tampa home in November. According to the police report, Brown threw a shoe at a woman, attempted to evict her from the home and locked her out of the house in front of children in the home.

After extensive interviews with the victim, the state attorney determined that probable cause existed to issue an arrest warrant on one count of misdemeanor first-degree battery with the potential to upgrade the charge to a felony due to a prior guilty plea by Brown to a charge of misdemeanor battery in another county.

However, during a Dec. 16 interview under oath, the woman recanted her earlier accusation that Brown intended to cause her bodily harm, the state attorney's office said.

The state attorney's office said it analyzed the woman's revised statements along with the body-worn camera video recorded at the scene and a child protective services investigation to ensure the safety of children in the home who were present at the incident, and "determined we could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt a battery took place," said the state attorney's office.

The state attorney also considered a judge's refusal to approve a temporary risk protection order for the woman due to comments she made regarding Brown's mental state and possession of guns.

Nevertheless, both Tampa police and the state attorney's office said they stand by their decision to investigate the accusation.

"The SAO believes that all allegations of domestic violence should be investigated to the fullest extent possible," said the state attorney in a statement. "Cases involving domestic violence are often difficult and involve conflicting evidence. Despite these challenges, all victims deserve to be heard, supported and protected."

"The Tampa Police Department stands firmly in its decision to thoroughly investigate this case, taking the following steps to assist the victim of the alleged abuse. The investigation included multiple hours of on-scene interviews with the victim, gathering information related to the alleged domestic violence and identifying probable cause to charge Brown," said Tampa police in a statement.

Brown's contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was terminated after he tossed his equipment into the stands and left in the middle of a Jan. 2 game, saying he was pressured by then-coach Bruce Arians to play despite an injury.

In 2021, Brown received a three-game suspension for faking documents showing that he had been vaccinated against COVID-19.

In 2020, Brown pleaded no contest to charges of burglary and criminal mischief related to a fight with a moving company truck driver in South Florida in 2020.

Prior to that, Brown was accused of sexually assaulting two women but was never convicted.

Anyone who is a victim of domestic violence can seek help by calling law enforcement or the National Domestic Hotline at 800-799-7233 for immediate assistance. Victims can also seek help from community resources including the Spring of Tampa Bay by calling or texting the 24-hour crisis hotline at 813-247-SAFE (7233).