Inside Antonio Brown’s Self-Defense Claim, as Ex-NFL Star Pleads Not Guilty to Attempted Murder

Antonio Brown’s attorney claimed the former NFL star was acting in self-defense after entering a not guilty plea to an attempted murder charged on his client’s behalf.

Brown was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Dubai and was brought back to the United States to face the charge stemming from a May shooting that happened at a celebrity boxing event hosted by streamer Adin Ross in Miami.

“Following a thorough investigation … Antonio Brown (AB) has been identified as the shooter,” the Miami Police Department previously said in a statement to PEOPLE. “This is just another example of the relentless work and dedication of Miami Police Detectives, working closely with Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, and U.S. Marshals to identify and arrest those who commit crimes in the City of Miami.”

The Associated Press reported that Brown’s attorney, Mark Eiglarsh, said he filed a written not guilty plea on Brown’s behalf.

Eiglarsh told the AP that Brown had only been acting in self-defense.

“The actions he was forced to take were solely in self-defense against the alleged victim’s violent behavior,” Eiglarsh reportedly said. “Brown was attacked that night and acted within his legal right to protect himself.”

The AP, citing an arrest warrant, said the victim, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, told police that a bullet fired by Brown, who is accused of firing two shots, grazed his neck.

The Miami Herald reported that Brown appeared virtually in court on Wednesday, Nov. 12, and was granted a $25,000 bond. An image of the proceedings published by the paper showed Brown in a red jail jumpsuit.

Brown will have to wear an ankle monitor, according to the Herald.

Footage of the May incident posted on X seemed to show Brown engaged in a fight with a group of people. Brown is later seen running toward the group, holding an object before sounds resembling gunshots are heard.

Brown subsequently appeared on a Kick livestream with Ross and claimed that he had been “jumped by multiple individuals.”

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The former All-Pro receiver also claimed he had CTE, a neurological disease linked to repeated head trauma and has been found in hundreds of deceased football players. It can only be diagnosed postmortem.

“I got CTE, I blacked out,” Brown said. “I blacked out, Adin. I don’t know what happened.”

Brown is a 12-year NFL veteran, having played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He last played in the NFL in 2021.