Getty Images Antonio Brown amps up the crowd at Heinz Field.
Antonio Brown is at it again. In just another incident in what’s been a laundry list of legal troubles, Brown is back in the news.
According to TMZ, a court order was issued by a Miami, Florida, judge on April 14 to arrest the former Pittsburgh Steelers star on a charge of failure to pay child support.
Per his Instagram account, on April 21, Brown paid his way out of jail time by finally making good on support owed to his ex-girlfriend Wiltrice Jackson, with whom he has a daughter.
According to TMZ, Brown paid just over $33,000 in child support to avoid jail time. In 2019 he was accused of domestic violence against Jackson, TMZ reported.
Antonio Brown’s Post-NFL Life
Although Brown has never officially retired from the NFL, he last played in the 2021 season. He now has a role in another league — the National Arena League.
In March 2023, Brown purchased a stake in the Arena League’s Albany Empire, the fourth reboot of a team (Albany Firebirds) on which his father, Eddie “Touchdown” Brown, was a legend in the 1990s. According to TMZ, the elder Brown serves as the team’s vice president of football operations.
Where do you rank @HCEBrown all-time among @OfficialAFL receivers? 🤔
In a March 2, 2023, statement from Brown via MLFootball’s Twitter account, he said, “Imagining buying your father’s team you saw him be the greatest AFL player all-time over Kurt Warner, so for me to bring the community back give opportunities, help others live their dreams, and to be a part of greatness of something bigger than me, I’m excited!”
It should come as no surprise that Empire’s opening day started off in dramatic fashion. While walking around the arena giving autographs and posing for photos, security confronted Brown, demanding that he leave the field. The guard was seemingly unaware that Brown was the owner of the team, despite being told numerous times.
Still I maintained a level of professionalism positivity while dealing with this security today ! First Game AS AN Owner #StayEncouraged
There have been several new developments since he purchased the stake. The head coach, Tom Menas, who led the team to back-to-back championships, was fired 10 days before the start of the season. On April 19, former majority owner Mark Kwarta announced he was no longer affiliated with the team, as other front office staff also left. Kwarta’s vacancy left Brown with 95% of the Empire — making him the majority owner.
Brown is getting some backlash for the Albany Empire shake-up and took his feelings on the subject to social media on April 22.
Now also a “rapper,” Brown’s tweet read like song lyrics:
Stop relying on my image to carry the media
I’m not going carrying no leaches around me !
Surround yourself with people that helps you be a better you !
Surround yourself around greatness that inspire you
Life about living
mind your business keep living
Brown’s professional playing career came to a screeching halt in early 2022 when he famously walked off the field after shedding his equipment and jersey in the middle of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers–New York Jets game.
He wrapped a largely controversial 12-year career with 900-plus receptions and 12,291 receiving yards, 83 touchdowns, four All-Pro honors — and a Super Bowl ring. Too bad he couldn’t have won that with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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Antonio Brown Wiggles out of Latest Legal Drama