MIAMI , MA. – SEPTEMBER 15: Antonio Brown #17 of the New England Patriots screams out during warmups before the NFL game against the Miami Dolphins at the Hard Rock Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Miami , Florida. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
New England Patriots wide receiver allegedly sent menacing text messages to an accuser, and it could be the final straw in an ugly few weeks.
Antonio Brown is currently active for the Patriots. That status may soon change.
On Thursday night, Sports Illustrated’s Robert Klemko tweeted out screenshots of texts. The messages were reportedly sent on Wednesday from Brown to a woman who told SI she was sexually harassed by Brown at his home while she painted. The story ran earlier this week.
In the texts allegedly sent by Brown, the overall tone is threatening. You can see them below in Klemko’s original tweet.
If these texts are verified as Brown’s, Roger Goodell could act immediately by placing him on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. In that scenario, Brown would be paid throughout his suspension but would not be allowed to visit the team facility, practice or play.
This list has been used many times before, most notably with former Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy and current Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson. Both were suspended in 2014 for 15 games. Hardy was banned after being arrested on charges of assault and communicating threats. Peterson was also suspended 15 games, he for charges of reckless or negligent injury of a child.
The question for the Patriots is simple. If they are informed Brown is to be placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, why continue to pay him? As pointed out by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Brown would be in clear violation of the personal conduct policy written into player’s contracts if these texts are indeed his. New England could cite the clause and move on, giving it grounds to recoup its money.
Ultimately, Brown’s fate rests in the hands of Goodell, who earlier this week met with Britney Taylor, Brown’s former trainer who filed a civil lawsuit alleging Brown sexually assaulted and raped her.
With New England’s next game being on Sunday against the New York Jets, Goodell and the taem may seek clarity before he can suit up again.