WATCH: Antonio Brown strips off pads, runs off field in bizarre scene originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Antonio Brown has left the building.
In one of the strangest moments of the 2021 season, the Buccaneers wide receiver abruptly removed his shoulder pads and undershirt and jogged to the locker room at MetLife Stadium during the third quarter of Tampa Bay’s Week 17 matchup with the New York Jets.
Here’s video of the scene, which shows Brown stripping off his pads, throwing his undershirt and gloves into the stands, and running toward the locker room in the middle of the game while the Bucs were on offense.
Antonio Brown just took jersey and gear off and threw it into crowd. Celebrating and ran to the locker room. No idea what is going on. pic.twitter.com/uPALqGJGJo
— Jake Brown (@JakeBrownRadio) January 2, 2022
Brown, who had three catches for 26 yards on five targets at the time, apparently “boiled over” and was “very upset” on the sideline, according to FOX sideline reporter Jen Hale.
Another angle of the incident filmed by a fan in the stands shows wide receiver Mike Evans trying to reason with Brown before he made his sudden exit.
It appears head coach Bruce Arians benched Brown, which led to the former New England Patriots wide receiver’s outburst.
As we just said on #GoBucs radio Antonio Brown was benched by Coach Bruce Arians before taking off his shoulder pads and jersey and throwing them down on the bench. He’s gone to lockerrom on his own
— TJ Rives (@BucSidelineGuy) January 2, 2022
Brown served a three-game suspension in December for violating the joint NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 protocols after he misrepresented his vaccination status. He tallied 101 receiving yards on 10 catches last Sunday and appeared to be back in the Bucs’ good graces, but there’s a good chance that changes after Sunday’s incident.