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Antonio Brown is heading back to Miami from a New Jersey jail after he chose not to fight extradition to Florida where he faces an attempted murder charge, officials confirmed Friday.
The 37-year-old former NFL star was locked up in Essex County, New Jersey following his arrest by U.S. marshals in Dubai. He waived his extradition rights during a quick court appearance Friday.
“Brown is back at the Essex County Jail in Newark, where he’s awaiting pickup by Florida authorities,” said Carmen Martin, spokesperson for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
The arrest warrant alleges Brown grabbed a handgun from a security guard after a celebrity boxing match on May 16 and fired twice at a man he’d fought with earlier. The victim, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, told investigators one bullet grazed his neck.
Cellphone footage posted on social media shows the incident unfolding. “The video captures Mr. Brown with the firearm in his hand advancing toward Mr. Nantambu on the outside walk. The video captures two shots which occur as Mr. Brown is within several feet of Mr. Nantambu,” according to the arrest affidavit. “The video also captures Mr. Nantambu ducking after the first shot is heard.”
Brown wasn’t arrested immediately that night.
Initially, police didn’t identify Nantambu as a victim. It took until May 21 for Nantambu to provide a complete statement to investigators and identify Brown as the shooter, the affidavit states.
Based on his social media activity, Brown had been living in Dubai for months. Questions remain about why authorities took so long to arrest him and why he was brought to New Jersey rather than directly to Miami. Court and jail records don’t indicate whether Brown has hired an attorney.
After the incident, Brown defended himself on social media, claiming he was “jumped by multiple individuals who tried to steal my jewelry and cause physical harm to me.”
In Florida, a second-degree attempted murder conviction carries up to 15 years in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine.
Brown spent 12 seasons in the NFL and established himself as one of the league’s premier wide receivers. Though he played briefly for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021, he spent most of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His career stats are impressive – 928 catches for over 12,000 yards and 83 touchdowns. He made seven Pro Bowl appearances during his time in the league.
He played a significant role in the Bucs’ Super Bowl LV victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2021, catching a touchdown pass from Tom Brady during the championship game.
Legal troubles have followed Brown for years. His past includes accusations of battery against a moving-truck driver, multiple domestic violence charges, failure to pay child support, and other incidents. His NFL career effectively ended during a 2021 game against the New York Jets when he stripped off his jersey, shoulder pads and gloves before running off the field – a move that prompted Tampa Bay to release him immediately.
