Antonio Brown suspended eight games by NFL

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 7/31/20

If the Baltimore Ravens or any other club wish to sign veteran wide receiver Antonio Brown ahead of Week 1 of the season, he'll be a spectator for at least half of the campaign.

On Friday, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero tweeted that the 32-year-old four-time First-Team All-Pro wideout will be suspended by the NFL for eight games.

The good news for clubs with Brown on their radars is that his suspension begins in Week 1 whether or not he is signed. This, theoretically, gives organizations more time to evaluate his status, and potentially see if he stays out of trouble.

Brown infamously orchestrated exits from both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders in 2019 before he landed with the New England Patriots. Brown had appeared in a single game for New England when the club released him in September amid allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment via text messages, as noted by ESPN's Mike Reiss.

According to Pelissero, however, this suspension stems from an incident involving Brown and a moving truck driver documented by Cameron Wolfe of ESPN last March, as well as allegations made by a second woman, per Bleacher Report's Timothy Rapp.

Pelissero added Brown's next hearing in a civil suit related to sexual misconduct allegations is scheduled for September.

Previously this summer, Brown was linked with the Ravens and Seattle Seahawks. Late last month, The Athletic's Jay Glazer reported that "a bunch" of teams were interested in the seven-time Pro Bowl receiver, but none signed him.

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