What Did Antonio Brown Allegedly Do? All About the Attempted Murder Charges Against the Former NFL Star

Antonio Brown

Former NFL Star Faces Serious Charges

Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown, 37, is now facing trial after his alleged involvement in a shooting incident in Miami earlier this year. 

Brown, a standout during his pro football career — including time with the Pittsburgh Steelers and a Super Bowl win with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — now stands accused of gravely serious criminal conduct. Reporting indicates that the event in question occurred the night of May 16, 2025, outside a celebrity boxing match in Miami, Florida. 

The Incident: What Happened

• According to law-enforcement, the arrest warrant states Brown allegedly grabbed a handgun from a security guard following an altercation and fired two shots at a man he had previously fought that night. One of the bullets is reported to have grazed the victim’s neck.  
• Video footage from the scene appears to show Brown engaged in a fight, then running toward a group of people holding something in his hand moments before gunshots were heard.  
• After the event, Brown posted to his social-media account that he had been “jumped by multiple individuals … I blacked out.” He cited concerns over possible chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as part of his statement.  

Legal Developments & Extradition

• A warrant was issued on June 11, 2025, charging Brown with second-degree attempted murder with a firearm — a first-degree felony under Florida law.  
• Brown was later located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and on November 6–7, 2025, he was extradited back to the United States by the U.S. Marshals Service to face the charges.  
• He was initially booked into Essex County, New Jersey, and is expected to be transferred to Miami-Dade County for prosecution.  
• Brown has waived extradition and is expected to appear in court as the case advances.  

Career & Context

Antonio Brown enjoyed a high-profile NFL career:

• He recorded 928 receptions, over 12,000 receiving yards and 83 touchdowns in his career.  
• His playing days effectively ended in 2021 when he walked off the field mid-game while with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  
• Off the field, he has a lengthy list of prior legal troubles — including assault, domestic violence allegations, and child-support issues.  

What’s At Stake

• If convicted of the attempted-murder charge, Brown faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 under Florida law.  
• Beyond the legal consequences, the trial places a spotlight on issues of athlete behavior, accountability, and the potential long-term health effects of contact sports — notably Brown’s reference to CTE in his defense.  

The Road Ahead

• Prosecutors will need to present evidence such as video footage, witness statements (including from the reported victim, Zul‑Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, who identified Brown) and the security guard’s testimony about the firearm.  
• Brown’s defense is likely to argue self-defense, intoxication or black-out (related to CTE), and challenge whether the victim’s injuries meet the legal definition of attempted murder.
• Timing for the trial has not yet been publicly confirmed. Given the complexity — international extradition, high-profile defendant, prior legal history — the process may be extended.

Broader Implications

• The case rekindles public discussion about how retired athletes should be supported as they adjust to life after sports, including mental-health and substance-abuse issues.
• It also highlights law-enforcement’s expanding focus on social-media evidence, international fugitive recovery, and coordinated extradition between U.S. and foreign jurisdictions.
  “Let this serve as a clear message: no matter who you are or where you run, we will pursue the facts, identify you, locate you, and bring you to justice.” — Miami Police Department statement  
• Finally, the case may affect how current and former players manage their public image and legal exposure moving forward.

If you’d like a deeper dive into any specific piece of the case — such as the video evidence, the extradition process, or Brown’s recovery from football — I can pull that together.