Antonio Brown Waives Extradition; Faces Attempted Murder Charge

UPDATE: Former NFL star Antonio Brown has waived extradition and will return to Miami to face a serious attempted murder charge. This critical development was confirmed today by officials after Brown, 37, appeared in a brief court hearing in Essex County, New Jersey.

Brown, who was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Dubai, is currently being held at the Essex County Jail, awaiting transfer to Florida authorities. According to Carmen Martin, spokesperson for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, “Brown is back at the Essex County Jail in Newark where he is awaiting pick up by Florida authorities.”

The attempted murder charge stems from a shocking incident that occurred on May 16, 2023, following a celebrity boxing match. An arrest warrant reveals that Brown allegedly grabbed a handgun from a security staffer and fired two shots at Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, a man he had a physical altercation with earlier that day. One of the bullets reportedly grazed Nantambu’s neck.

Authorities have secured cellphone video that captures the terrifying moment, showing Brown advancing toward Nantambu with the firearm. The footage reveals that Brown fired two shots while just feet away from Nantambu, who narrowly ducked to avoid injury.

Despite the severity of the accusations, Brown was not arrested immediately following the incident. It wasn’t until May 21 that Nantambu identified Brown as the shooter during a full police statement. The delay in the arrest remains unclear, as does the decision to bring Brown to New Jersey instead of directly to Miami.

In a post on social media after the incident, Brown claimed he was defending himself, alleging he had been “jumped by multiple individuals who tried to steal my jewelry and cause physical harm to me.”

A second-degree attempted murder charge in Florida carries grave consequences, with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and potential fines up to $10,000 upon conviction.

Brown’s football career spans 12 years, during which he became a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and an All-Pro wide receiver, most notably playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was part of the Buccaneers team that triumphed in the 2021 Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs, catching a touchdown pass from legendary quarterback Tom Brady.

However, Brown’s life has been marred by legal troubles, including prior accusations of battery, domestic violence, and failure to pay child support. His controversial exit from the NFL culminated in a bizarre incident during a game in 2021, when he stripped off his jersey and exited the field mid-game.

As this story develops, all eyes will be on Miami where Brown faces serious legal repercussions. Stay tuned for updates as authorities proceed with the case.