Bucs WR Antonio Brown Following Return From Suspension: 'I Don't ...

Skip to main content Advertising

Around the NFL

Bucs WR Antonio Brown following return from suspension: 'I don't want to talk about that' Published: Dec 26, 2021 at 07:40 PM

Around the NFL Staff

NFL.com

• Copied!

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown returned to action Sunday for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in Week 7 and serving a three-game suspension this month for violating the joint NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 protocols.

The wideout caught a team-high 10 passes for 101 yards as the Buccaneers routed the Panthers, 32-6, to clinch an NFC South title, but he did not seem to be interested in discussing the events that led to his prolonged absence from the team.

"Next question. Next question," Brown said when asked what it meant for Bucs head coach Bruce Arians to stand by him amid his latest transgression. "I just want to talk about this game. We don't wanna waste no time with you guys writing."

When reminded that the media has not had an opportunity to get Brown's perspective on being reinstated following his suspension, Brown didn't concede.

"I don't want to talk about that," he said. "You guys is all drama. It's all about football. We can talk about Carolina, or I don't want to talk to you guys."

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported a week ago that Brown was expected to return to the Bucs after being found by the NFL to have misrepresented his vaccination status. Arians, who previously had said there would be a zero-tolerance policy for Brown upon signing him last year, did not apologize earlier this week for amending his stance.

"Well, the history has changed since that statement," Arians said. "A lot of things went on last year that I was very proud of him. And I made a decision that was best for our football team. … I could give a s--- what (people) think. Only thing I care about is this football team and what's best for us."

A.B. was asked Sunday whether there was a point in which he wasn't sure if he'd play for Tampa Bay again.

"I'm just here to do my job," Brown said. "I can't control what people write, how people try to frame me, people try to bring me down. And life is about obstacles and persevering and doing what's right, so you get the right outcomes. I'm standing before you guys grateful, humble, thankful and excited to be a part of a big win with my teammates. Its not about what I did. It's about what all the guys in there did, collectively, together. And that's it."

The Buccaneers currently sit just one game back from the top spot in the conference with two games remaining. Brown figures to play a major role in how far the reigning champions go in 2021, what with leading receiver Chris Godwin (ACL/MCL) lost for the season and Mike Evans currently out with a hamstring injury. No other Buc targeted in Week 16 caught more than three passes.

When Brown was asked about what he's been dealing with physically, his answer reverted to his previous ones.

"It's a lot of drama," Brown said. "It's a lot of drama you guys create, a lot of drama that people create that want stuff from me. But that's just a part of life, a part of being in the position. I can't control what people want from me, I can't control what people write about me, I can't control what people say about me. All I could do is get up every day and be the best person I can be, and when I get a chance to do my job, do my job the best way I could do it, and that's what we had today."

Related Content

news

Colts' Chris Ballard on 'old-school throwback' Tyler Warren: Exciting thing is 'he's going to get better'

Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren hit the ground running as a rookie. It's exactly what Chris Ballard expected, and the general manager has now set his expectations on Warren taking it to another level.

news

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones aims to 'spend more money' in free agency in 2026

Following two playoff-less campaigns, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is looking to change his offseason strategy and be aggressive in the free-agent market.

news

Packers hire Cam Achord as their special teams coordinator

The Green Bay Packers Cam Achord as their special teams coordinator, the team announced on Friday.

news

NFL announces 2026 salary cap set at $301.2 million per team

NFL teams were informed on Friday that the 2026 salary cap will be $301.2 million per club, the league announced.

news

NFL news roundup: Broncos tendering restricted free-agent CB Ja'Quan McMillian

NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. Visit NFL.com's transaction hub for a daily breakdown.

news

Cowboys place franchise tag on WR George Pickens

The Cowboys placed their franchise tag on WR George Pickens on Friday, a move that had been anticipated since before Super Bowl LX earlier this month.

news

Giants GM Joe Schoen expects 'big things' from Kayvon Thibodeaux in 2026 despite trade chatter

Giants GM Joe Schoen is being asked about the future of Kayvon Thibodeaux, who's been the subject of trade chatter as New York aims get back on track with an already loaded defensive front. 

news

Fernando Mendoza 'lucky' to interview with Raiders, says Tom Brady mentorship would 'mean so much'

Poised by many to be the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, Fernando Mendoza described how his interview went with the Las Vegas Raiders at the NFL Scouting Combine and what a potential mentorship from Tob Brady would mean for the Indiana QB prospect.

news

Cowboys moving Marist Liufau to OLB in new DC Christian Parker's 3-4 scheme

The Dallas Cowboys plan to move Marist Liufau from a linebacker role to an edge role under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. 

news

Panthers GM Dan Morgan on QB Andy Dalton trade chatter: 'There's a potential that somebody may want him'

Carolina Panthers GM Dan Morgan didn't run away from questions about whether he'd trade backup quarterback Andy Dalton, noting he'd like to get younger behind Bryce Young. 

news

NFL news roundup: Commanders releasing former Pro Bowl center Tyler Biadasz

NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. Visit NFL.com's transaction hub for a daily breakdown.

news

Colts, Anthony Richardson mutually agree to seek trade; Vikings have interest in QB

The Indianapolis Colts are granting quarterback Anthony Richardson permission to seek a trade and the Minnesota Vikings have interest, NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reported Thursday, per a source.

Big left arrow icon Big right arrow icon Close icon Copy Url Three dots icon Down arrow icon Email icon Email icon Exit Fullscreen icon External link icon Facebook logo Football icon Facebook logo Instagram logo Snapchat logo YouTube logo TikTok logo Spotify logo LinkedIn logo Grid icon Key icon Left arrow icon Link icon Location icon Mail icon Menu icon Open icon Phone icon Play icon Radio icon Rewind icon Right arrow icon Search icon Select icon Selected icon TV icon Up arrow icon User icon Audio icon Add to calendar iconNFC icon AFC icon NFL icon Carousel IconList ViewWebsite InstagramTwitterFacebookSnapchatShop IconProfile Overlay AvatarAddAirplayArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpArrow DownAudioBack 5sBack 10sBack 30sCalendarChartCheckDownLeftRightUpChromecast OffChromecast OnCloseClosed CaptionsBench OffBench OnBroad OffBroad OnVertical OffVertical OnCommentDockDoneDownloadDraftFantasyFilterForward 5sForward 10sForward 30sFull Screen OffFull Screen OnGamepassGamesInsightsKeyLeaveLiveCombineDraftFantasyMenu GamesMenu NetworkMenu NewsMenu PlayoffsMenu Pro BowlMenu ShopMenu StandingsMenu StatsMenu Super BowlMenu TeamsMenu TicketsMenuMore HorizontalMore VerticalMy LocationNetworkNewsPauseplayMultiple PlayersSingle PlayerPlaylistPlayoffsPro BowlPurgeRefreshRemoveSearchSettingsShare AndroidShare Copy URLShare EmailShare FacebookShare InstagramShare iOSShare SnapchatShare TwitterSkip NextSkip PreviousStandingsStarStatsSwapTeamsTicketsVideoVisibility OffVisibility OnVolume HiVolume LowVolume MediumVolume MuteWarningWebsite Caret downCaret upAtNewsPlayAudioGalleryPromo Chevron right The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Got it!