TAMPA, Fla. — Antonio Brown was released by the Bucs Thursday, but before he was cut, the separation got messy and he posted some receipts.
The beleaguered receiver took to Instagram Thursday morning to air his grievances with head coach Bruce Arians and document how he severed ties with trainer Alex Guerrero on Christmas Eve.
Brown said in a statement released through his attorney Wednesday night that he was cut by Arians after refusing to play on an injured left ankle during the second half of the Bucs’ win over the Jets Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.
That led to Brown removing his jersey and shoulder pads, throwing his undershirt and gloves into the stands and cavorting through the end zone before leaving through the tunnel at MetLife Stadium. Arians said after the game that Brown “is no longer a Buc.”
Brown continued to push back at Arians Thursday morning by revealing a text-message exchange with the coach from the week leading up to the game. Brown participated in a walk-through practice on Dec. 29 but did not participate in workouts Dec. 30 or 31.
It’s clear from the exchange that Arians was aware of Brown’s injury but wanted to make sure Brown knew the Bucs didn’t plan to rest him another week.
On Dec. 30, Arians texted Brown, “This is BA. Make sure your ready to go tomorrow. We ARE NOT resting for the playoffs.” He added, “Call me.”
Brown responded, “I’m all in coach really caint get to full speed I wanna win wanna be there if I wake up tomorrow feel better I’ll be ready kinda rolled it outside on that 2pt play I want whats best for team lmk when you free I’ll call u.”
Responded Arians, “Come see me I’m the morning. We’ll talk it out. Definitely want you with us in case you’re ready.”
Brown on Thursday added a thinking face emoji over top of the text exchange along with the words, “Coach said we never talked.”
But what Arians said Monday is that he and Brown didn’t talk about the injury during the game, and he didn’t see him afterward in the locker room.
Brown also revealed Thursday that he severed ties with Guerrero, quarterback Tom Brady’s personal trainer who works with many other Bucs players, and asked for half of the $100,000 he paid Guerrero back.
“Hey AG (Alex Guerrero) if we not gonna work anymore thats fine LMK about the 100k i paid you only fair I get back half my money LMK how to proceed,” Brown texted.
Guerrero was gracious and offered to refund the money.
“Good morning AB. I appreciate you reaching out to me,” Guerrero texted. “I completely understand that you want to go in a different direction. Thank you for the opportunity to work together. You are a wonderful person. I hope for your continued success on and off the field. Please let me know where you want me to send the balance. Big hugs my friend.”
Before sharing the text exchange, Brown added “@tombrady guy @ag_tb12 (Guerrero’s Instagram handle) charging me 100k never doing the work on me! how u even work wit people like this! This is what I was dealing wit”
Brown later posted that he wanted to be clear that his issues are with the team, but he’s still tight with his teammates, including Brady.
“Don’t get it twisted,” he wrote. “My brothers have been good to me. From Tom to practice squad, we were a top-level unit. They have been good to me and knew nothing about my talks with coach last week. The team mishandled this situation. They let me down and, more importantly, my teammates.”
