Miami — Former NFL star Antonio Brown was sentenced Friday to three years of probation after pleading guilty to a reduced charge of aggravated assault with a firearm in connection with a 2025 shooting outside a celebrity boxing match in Miami, ESPN Deportes reported.
The plea agreement allows Brown, a seven-time Pro Bowl receiver, to avoid prison time and a criminal conviction. The sentence, handed down by Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez, includes weekly counseling sessions and a prohibition on possessing firearms.
Brown Enters Guilty Plea in Miami Court
During the brief hearing at a Miami state courthouse, Brown, 38, was dressed in a black leather jacket and white pants. He spoke quietly when entering his plea, prompting the judge to ask him to speak louder. Outside the courtroom, Brown thanked God and expressed a desire to “retake his life” and be with his family, according to ESPN Deportes.
Brown’s attorney, Mark Eiglarsh, told reporters they were “extremely grateful that this matter is finally resolved.”
“He was facing 30 years in prison with a mandatory minimum of 20 years,” Eiglarsh said. “The prosecution offered to reduce the charge and allow him to serve probation without a criminal conviction. Given the situation, it was an offer we could not refuse.”
Prosecution Reduces Attempted Murder Charge
Brown initially faced an attempted murder charge. Police alleged that during the event, he seized a gun from a security guard and fired two shots at a man with whom he had just been in a physical fight, ESPN Deportes reported.
Brown maintained his actions were in self-defense, claiming he was being robbed of his jewelry. His defense likely leaned on Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, which permits the use of lethal force in self-defense without a duty to retreat.
The prosecution reduced the charge due to “doubt” about Brown’s intent to shoot the victim, Howard Rosen, the state attorney, told the court. The victim, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, was reportedly walking away at the time of the shooting and only suffered a graze wound to the neck. He was present in court and has publicly stated he would not cooperate with police or press charges.
“Instead of the case being dismissed entirely — which would have prevented Mr. Brown from ultimately receiving therapeutic treatment — all parties, both the defense and the prosecution, agreed this was the best option for everyone,” Rosen said. The victim’s attorney, Richard Cooper, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.
Brown Arrested in Dubai for 2025 Shooting
The shooting occurred in June 2025 outside a celebrity boxing event in Miami. Brown was arrested in Dubai that November, where he has business interests, after an arrest warrant was issued for the attempted murder charge, according to the ESPN Deportes report.
This case is part of a long history of legal troubles for Brown, who played 12 seasons in the NFL, mostly with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021.
His career effectively ended the following season when he inexplicably removed his jersey, shoulder pads, and gloves and walked off the field mid-game. The Buccaneers released him shortly after the incident.
Brown has faced other legal challenges, including an assault charge against a moving truck driver and allegations of domestic violence, unpaid child support, and other incidents, as documented by ESPN Deportes.
What’s Next for Antonio Brown
Brown’s legal status is now defined by his three-year probation, which includes the mandated counseling and firearm restrictions. The resolution of this case removes a significant legal hurdle, though it does not erase his prior record of off-field incidents.
As the probation period begins, the focus shifts to whether Brown can adhere to its conditions and move forward from a tumultuous few years. The case also highlights the complexities of the “Stand Your Ground” law when applied in high-profile incidents involving multiple conflicting accounts of events.
Earlier coverage: Antonio Brown Avoids Prison in Miami Shooting Case, Pleads Guilty to Reduced Charge
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