Antonio Brown Accepts Probation Deal in 2025 Miami Shooting Case
The former NFL wide receiver avoided prison by pleading guilty to aggravated assault, ending a legal battle that began after he fired two shots at a man outside a boxing event.
By Grace Sullivan ·
Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown pleaded guilty Friday in Miami state court to aggravated assault with a firearm, resolving a 2025 shooting case that had carried a potential 30-year prison sentence.
Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez sentenced Brown to three years of probation. The terms require him to attend weekly counseling sessions and refrain from possessing a firearm during that period. The reduced charge allowed the 38-year-old to avoid both prison time and a criminal conviction on his record.
Brown, who wore a black leather jacket and white pants during the hearing, spoke in a low voice. When the judge asked him to project his plea, he complied. Outside the courthouse, he thanked God and stated his desire to return to his family. His attorney, Mark Eiglarsh, described the outcome as favorable, noting that Brown had been facing a 20-year minimum mandatory sentence before accepting the plea deal.
The incident occurred outside a celebrity boxing match in Miami. Police said Brown grabbed a handgun from a security employee and fired two shots at a man with whom he had recently fought. The victim, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, sustained a graze wound to the neck. Nantambu was present in the courtroom for the plea hearing and has said publicly that he does not intend to press charges. His lawyer, Richard Cooper, stated the family wishes Brown healing and a path closer to God.
Prosecutor Howard Rosen explained that his office agreed to reduce the charge because questions remained about whether Brown intended to shoot the victim, who was walking away at the time. Brown maintained he was defending himself against an attack while others tried to steal his jewelry. He cited Florida’s Stand Your Ground law, which permits deadly force for those believing they face serious injury or death. Rosen said the agreement allowed Brown to receive therapeutic treatment rather than letting the case disappear entirely.
Brown spent 12 years in the NFL, primarily with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021 under quarterback Tom Brady. The following season, he removed his jersey and equipment to run off the field during a game, leading to his release. Brown was extradited from Dubai in November 2025 after an arrest warrant was issued in June of that year. He has faced other legal issues, including battery charges, domestic violence allegations, and failure to pay child support.
