Antonio Brown.Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty
Antonio Brown, receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has been handed a three-game suspension from the NFL for allegedly misrepresenting his COVID vaccination status, the League announced on Thursday.
Tampa Bay player Mike Edwards and free agent John Franklin III were also suspended for three games for not following NFL protocols regarding their vaccination status.
“The health and safety of players and personnel is our top priority. The protocols were jointly developed working with our respective experts to ensure that we are practicing and playing football as safely as possible during the ongoing pandemic,” the NFL and National Football League Players Associationsaid in a joint statementon Thursday. “The NFL-NFLPA jointly reinforce their commitment and further emphasize the importance of strict adherence to the protocols to protect the well-being of everyone associated with the NFL.”
Tampa Bay also released a statement about the matter, which was posted to their Twitter account on Thursday, saying that they “appreciate the League’s timely handling of this matter and recognize the importance of the health and safety protocols that have been established.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Brown’s lawyer Sean Burstyn said, “Mr. Brown is vaccinated and continues to support the vaccine for any person for whom it is appropriate. The NFL made its determination and, instead of going through the drawn out and distracting process of challenging the outcome, Mr. Brown wrapped this up promptly and he will use this time as an opportunity to treat his ankle injury. Mr. Brown will be motivated, well rested, and in the best shape of his life when he returns in week 16.”
“We are aware of the report and have been in contact with the club. We will review the matter,” NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said ina statement to PEOPLEat the time.
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Although the NFL does not currently require its players to be vaccinated against COVID, specific mandates vary from teams and venues depending on city and state laws.
Brown’s lawyer previously maintained thatthe Tampa Bay staris fully vaccinated.
Joe Sargent/Getty.Antonio Brown
In a previous statement to PEOPLE, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also maintained that they had “received completed vaccination cards from all Tampa Bay Buccaneers players and submitted the required information to the NFL through the established process in accordance with league policy.”
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source: people.com
