2022 is already getting weird.
In a bizarre display during the middle of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game against the New York Jets this afternoon, Bucs wide receiver Antonio Brown appeared to get frustrated on the sideline and quit the team.
He took off his pads and helmet, started throwing his shirt and gloves into the crowd, and threw up the “deuces” as he ran across the field and out of the stadium:
Antonio Brown took off his uniform and ran off the field.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 2, 2022
Antonio Brown just appeared to take off his uniform, throw it into the crowd and leave the game. pic.twitter.com/i3ugI9UkI4
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 2, 2022
I mean, the guy literally had a full-on meltdown and just started undressing:
Antonio Brown has a meltdown at the hand of the #Jets and #BraxtonBerrios pic.twitter.com/RGhSYpyrOu
— Miller (@mmmmillah) January 2, 2022
Before he made it back into the locker room, though, he ran around the end zone shirtless, gesturing at fans and eventually making his way completely off the field.
He’s lucky he didn’t get tackled by stadium security on his way out, though:
Stadium security initially thought it was a fan and were prepared to tackle Antonio Brown before they realized it was a player, per FOX.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 2, 2022
At this point, it’s not clear exactly what triggered Antonio or why he walked off the field, but then again, you have to expect the unexpected when we’re talking about Antonio Brown.
The Bucs are currently down 24-20 against the Jets, who hold a dismal record of 4-11, meanwhile the Bucs are sitting at 11-4 and have already clinched the NFC South (very sad Panthers fan here).
Just last month, Antonio was suspended for three games after lying about his vaccination status to the NFL and his team and using a fake vaccination card.
It will be interesting to see how much longer he lasts with the Bucs after this little display, or if in fact, that was his last game.
Needless to say, Twitter did what it does best… and brought some hilarious commentary:
Antonio Brown is a completely normal human being, they said. @AB84 won’t MELT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A GAME, they said.
🏈 LIVE BET NFL ▶️ https://t.co/jBQe9WFJ24#TBvsNYJ #TakeFlight #GoBucs #NFL #NFLTwitter #GamblingTwitter
— BetUS Pro Football (@BetUSProFB) January 2, 2022
His CTE rnpic.twitter.com/TTtah1d1Le
— Abdullah (@__TheGREATEST1) January 2, 2022
Antonio Brown pic.twitter.com/ZXbfYhpmx1
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 2, 2022
Antonio Brown needed:
8 more catches to unlock a $333,333 bonus.
He also needed 55 receiving yards to unlock another $333,333 bonus.
He also needed just 1 receiving TD to unlock another $333,333 bonus.
This was a costly outburst.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) January 2, 2022
Antonio Brown is gonna fight one of them Pauls before the year is over
— Craig Kirkendall (@WillieChuckJr) January 2, 2022
No one:
Absolutely no one:
Antonio Brown in the middle of a football game:
— The Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) January 2, 2022
Maybe Antonio Brown has a vaccination appointment, settle down.
— Joe Osborne (@JTFOz) January 2, 2022
Explaining what Antonio Brown just did to hockey fans.. pic.twitter.com/ZYOUQkTDAg
— Nick Alberga (@thegoldenmuzzy) January 2, 2022
Ladies & gentlemen, Antonio Brown… pic.twitter.com/oLwrd1bADu
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) January 2, 2022
Mike Tomlin tolerating Antonio Brown for nine seasons is one of the great coaching achievements in NFL history.
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) January 2, 2022
Antonio Brown touring MetLife Stadium during an NFL Football Game (2022, colorized). pic.twitter.com/PjLpjUphkD
— Schlasser (@UrinatingTree) January 2, 2022