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The NFL has finally dropped the hammer on Antonio Brown.
On Friday afternoon, the NFL announced they had suspended the former Steelers wide receiver for eight games due to “multiple violations of the league’s personal conduct policy.”
Antonio Brown was notified today by NFL Special Counsel for Conduct Todd Jones that he has been suspended without pay for the first eight regular-season games of the 2020 season for multiple violations of the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 31, 2020
Brown will be eligible to play on week 9 whether he gets signed or not and the NFL can add to the suspension if he continues to act up.
Antonio Brown's eight-game suspension takes effect Week 1, regardless of whether he's on a roster — and could be extended if further violations are found related to an ongoing civil suit in Florida, per source.
So AB is sidelined at least through Week 8, and potentially longer
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 31, 2020
If Antonio Brown is signed before the start of the 2020 season, he would be eligible to participate in his club's preseason activities. Brown's suspension would take effect as of final roster reduction on September 5. He would be eligible to return after the team's eighth game. https://t.co/6oB5M5stmc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 31, 2020
NFL also warned Antonio Brown that any future violation of the Personal Conduct Policy will likely result in more significant discipline. https://t.co/gLB8c4YyeG
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 31, 2020
Antonio Brown's eight-game suspension is without pay, meaning that he'll be docked whatever pay he is due for the eight games he misses. Dating back to the start of 2019, he will have miss a total of 23 out of 24 games, provided he finds a team before this season begins.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 31, 2020
Update: The NFL released a statement on Brown’s suspension.
Here’s the full release pic.twitter.com/szaJJF7s5P
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) July 31, 2020
As of now, it seems like the Ravens and the Seahawks may be interested but it’s currently unclear if any other teams will look into signing Brown now that they know how long he’s suspended for.
Lamar Jackson spoke highly of Antonio Brown earlier this week. He said: “It was nice throwing to Antonio Brown. I was hoping we would get him. I’m still hoping."
The #Ravens and #Seahawks remain the teams to watch, per @JeffDarlington.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 31, 2020