Brown’s legal professional Sean Burstyn defined: “The offer was Antonio would basically sit on the sidelines, go on some list and commit himself to some form of intensive mental health treatment, and we were specifically told in writing by the general manager twice: ‘Don’t spin this any other way.'”
Burstyn additionally added: “To the extent any of that is coming from a spin that Antonio had a spontaneous mental episode, it’s resentful and it’s hurtful and it’s a disservice to people who do suffer from mental health challenges. We all have our difficulties.”
When requested by Gumbel whether or not Brown thinks he wants mental health assist, Brown responded: “I have mental wealth. I know a lot of people may not understand me, know how I look at things or don’t know how I react to emotional things, but it’s not for them to understand me.
“I’ve received a gorgeous household, youngsters and folks all internationally that lookup to me. And there is not any purpose I’m on this place at this level.”
Brown previously said in a statement that he left the game because of an ankle injury. He said the team knew about his injury, something the Bucs have denied.
Brown also told Gumbel that head coach Bruce Arians is lying when he says he wasn’t told about Brown’s injured ankle during the Jets game.
When asked about the accusations, the team referred NCS to previous statements released on Brown — none of which addressed the payment for mental health treatment.
Brown was released by the Bucs shortly after the incident.
In the days following the incident, Arians claimed that Brown left the field because he was angry about not getting the ball enough in his eyes. Brown, however, disputed those claims.
“I’m not apprehensive in regards to the ball,” Brown said. “Tom Brady is my man. He’s the rationale I’m on Tampa Bay, so I do know I’m gonna get the ball.”