Antonio Brown Pleads Not Guilty in Florida Attempted Murder Case

Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown pleaded not guilty today in a New Jersey court to charges of attempted second-degree murder stemming from a shooting in Miami earlier this year.

Brown, 37, was extradited from Dubai to the United States yesterday and waived extradition to Florida, according to the Essex County, New Jersey, prosecutor’s office. The charges relate to a shooting outside an amateur boxing event in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood in May. Authorities allege Brown shot at a man following a physical altercation.

His attorney, Mark Eiglarsh, stated, “The actions he was forced to take were solely in self-defense against the alleged victim’s violent behavior.” Eiglarsh further claimed Brown was attacked and “acted within his legal right to protect himself from an individual who previously committed criminal acts against him.” Police reports and security footage indicate a fight preceded the shooting, with Brown seen punching a man and then allegedly taking a firearm from a security officer before firing two shots. Brown’s career, once considered Hall of Fame-bound, ended abruptly with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after a highly publicized on-field incident.

While the individual fired upon reported a possible graze wound to the neck, there were no serious injuries. The case raises questions about Brown’s future and potential legal ramifications beyond this incident, as he has faced other controversies throughout his career. Further details can be found at the Miami-Dade Police Department website.

Brown is expected to be arraigned in Florida in the coming weeks, officials said.