Antonio Brown practiced with the Patriots on Wednesday on the heels of a lawsuit that was filed claiming he sexually assaulted a woman on multiple occasions, but his status with both the team and NFL going forward remains a mystery. After Brown had his contract guarantees voided over all the drama he caused in Oakland, it’s fair to wonder if he could be headed down the same path in New England.
Albert Breer of The MMQB obtained a copy of Brown’s contract on Wednesday, and the language in it states that the guaranteed money can be voided if the player “takes any action that materially undermines the public’s respect for, or is materially critical of, the Club, the Player’s teammates or the Club’s ownership, coaches.”
Brown's $9 million signing bonus will be paid in two installments. A $5 million payment is due on Sept. 23. The remaining $4 million is due on Jan. 15.
He has a $1M base, $500K in per-game roster bonuses, and $1.5M incentives at 105 catches, 1298 yards, and 16 rec. TDs. https://t.co/T1rAbOlZZY
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 11, 2019
Of course, Brown’s legal team and agent have vehemently denied the allegations. Britney Taylor, the woman who filed the civil lawsuit, says she passed a lie detector test that showed she was telling the truth when she said Brown sexually assaulted her on two separate occasions in 2017 and raped her in 2018. You can read more about the allegations here.
Pennsylvania prosecutors are now also looking into the allegations against Brown, so his Patriots contract will be the least of his worries if evidence proves Taylor is telling the truth. However, it’s also noteworthy that Drew Rosenhaus said Wednesday that he and Brown have been “unfortunately anticipating this possibility.”
"I wouldn't be doing this interview if I didn't believe Antonio. These allegations are false. He denies every one of them."
—Drew Rosenhaus on the accusations against his client, Antonio Brown pic.twitter.com/CXUHb8ySUj
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 11, 2019
That could also spell trouble for Brown, as the Patriots reportedly had no knowledge of the allegations prior to Tuesday. If Brown did, they might be able to argue that he and Rosenhaus had a responsibility to disclose that information before the two sides agreed to a contract.
We know from the details of Brown’s contract that he didn’t exactly give the Patriots a discount. If the allegations against him turn out to be true, the team will almost certainly explore ways to recoup some of that money.
For more on the subject:
– A summary of the lawsuits filed against Antonio Brown since 2018
– Britney Taylor passed lie detector test regarding Antonio Brown allegations
– Britney Taylor planning to meet with NFL after her wedding
– The text messages Antonio Brown allegedly sent Britney Taylor
– Antonio Brown planning to file countersuit against Britney Taylor
– Attorney defends Antonio Brown against ‘money grab’ allegations
– Patriots react to lawsuit filed against Antonio Brown
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