Another day, another bridge burned for out-of-work receiver Antonio Brown.
Attorney Camille Blanton of Billing, Cochran, Lyles, Mauro & Ramsey filed a motion in Broward County court on Feb. 7 to withdraw as counsel for Brown, who is accused of rape and sexual assault by former trainer Britney Taylor.
The reason for the motion is unclear.
According to court documents, Taylor has retained David Haas as lead attorney, along with Andrew Knopf and Marshelle Brooks. The original civil suit filed on Sep. 10 alleges that Brown sexually assaulted her on two occasions in June 2017 and alleges Brown raped her in May 2018. Brown denies the claims and says that their actions were consensual.
The NFL’s investigation is ongoing.
Brown, 31, has been a free agent since his release by the Patriots on Sep. 20 after playing one game this season. On Nov. 20, he filed a countersuit against Taylor.
“Mr. Brown is committed to his continued aggressive response to Taylor’s false allegations,” Blanton said at the time in all-caps statement. “Not only does Mr. Brown seek to clear his name, but he also desires to make a statement that there is not an open season to extort professional athletes.”
Nike terminated its endorsement deal with Brown in September.
Longtime agent Drew Rosenhaus severed ties with Brown on Jan. 16 in a letter sent to the NFL Players Association. The letter stated that Rosenhaus hoped to work with the troubled receiver in the future, but not until he gets help. Darren Heitner, a lawyer on a separate tenant-landlord case in Miami-Dade county court, also removed himself as counsel on the same day.
Brown turned himself into Florida law enforcement on Jan. 24 after a warrant was issued for his arrest for his alleged role in an altercation with a moving truck driver. The police report claims he and trainer Glenn Holt refused to pay the driver $4,000. He was charged with felony burglary with battery, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and criminal mischief.
“I put myself in a bad predicament,” Brown told USA Today Sports on Jan. 28. “I’m out of it now, man. Unfortunate situation, but we don’t make excuses and we’re going to make the best of it.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hopes that the seven-time Pro Bowler can get the help he needs.
“We want to help get [Brown] on the right track and get him in a position where he is in the zone where he thinks he can be successful in life,” Goodell said at his annual state of the league press conference held before Super Bowl 2020 on Jan 29. “We are confident that can happen. I think the first thing for all of us is to think about the wellbeing of Antonio.”
Brown is in the midst of an apology tour in hopes of returning to football someday and being a role model for children.
“I’m going to make them proud, man,” Brown said. “I’m planning to come back to the NFL.”
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