Former NFL Star Released on Bail Amid Serious Charges
Former American football star Antonio Brown has been released from a Miami jail after a judge granted him bail. The 37-year-old ex-NFL wide receiver walked out of the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Centre on Thursday, just one day after he entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of second-degree attempted murder.
Bail Conditions and Legal Arguments
Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer ordered Brown's release on a $25,000 bail but imposed strict conditions. He is required to wear a GPS ankle monitor while he awaits his trial. Prosecutors had argued against his release, contending that the high-paid former professional athlete had the financial resources to flee. However, his attorney, Mark Eiglarsh, successfully argued that Brown, who no longer possesses a passport, would return to his home in Broward County, Florida, to see the case through.
Outside the correctional facility, Brown was seen embracing his lawyer. Carrying a bag of his belongings, the pair visited a nearby food truck for a drink before departing in the attorney's vehicle.
The Alleged Incident and Conflicting Accounts
The serious charges stem from an incident that took place on 16 May following a celebrity boxing match in Miami. According to an arrest warrant, Brown is accused of grabbing a handgun from a member of the security staff and firing two shots at a man, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, with whom he had earlier been involved in a fistfight. Nantambu informed investigators that one of the bullets grazed his neck.
Brown's legal team has presented a different version of events. His attorney stated on Wednesday that the affidavit was mistaken, claiming that Brown used his own personal firearm and that the shots were not aimed at anyone.
If convicted, Antonio Brown faces a potential 15-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $10,000. The case continues as he awaits his trial from his Florida home.
A Stellar NFL Career Now Overshadowed
Before these legal troubles, Brown was celebrated for his remarkable 12-year career in the National Football League. He was an All-Pro wide receiver, spending much of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers before his last professional appearance with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021. His career statistics are impressive, with 928 receptions for more than 12,000 yards and 88 total touchdowns, which includes punt returns and one passing touchdown.
