NFL star Antonio Brown just quit playing mid-game during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' game against the New York Jets.
Brown removed his uniform and ran off the field at MetLife Stadium in the third quarter in scenes that have gone viral on social media.
A visibly furious Brown removed his jersey on the sideline, threw his shoulder pads down, then cascaded across the end zone, tore off his tank top, threw the tank and a glove with vigour into a sea of Jets fans, then continued shirtless into the tunnel with one final peace sign before fading to black.
It was a scene so bizarre and rare that reportedly MetLife Stadium security thought the shirtless man was a fan and were about to tackle him until they realized it was the seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver.
The Buccaneers trailed 24-10 at the time and were driving down field on offence, but Brown was not among the players in the game. Asked about Brown in his post-match news conference, Arians said: "He is no longer a Buc. That's the end of the story."
"We all love him and care about him deeply," Quarterback Tom Brady said, adding their relationship goes beyond being teammates. "I think everyone should be compassionate and empathetic toward some very difficult things that are happening." Brady said he was unaware of the details of the incident until after the game.
According to the FOX broadcast, Brown 'boiled over' about something and could not be convinced to stay with the team on the sideline. Fellow receiver Mike Evans tried to keep Brown from taking off his shoulder pads, but to no avail.
Brown had three receptions on five targets for 26 yards at the time he left. Brown has 42 catches for 545 yards and four touchdowns in seven games this season.
The 33-year-old has a trail of off-the-field incidents, distractions and legal trouble dating to the start of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Most recently, Brown was suspended for three games by the NFL this season for falsifying a COVID-19 vaccine card.
Brown spent the first half of the 2020 season suspended for multiple violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy. He turned himself into police in Florida in January 2020 due to charges of battery, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and criminal mischief.
He was released by the New England Patriots after one game in 2019 due to allegations of sexual misconduct and threatening text messages sent to his accuser. New England picked up Brown after he was released by the then-Oakland Raiders before he played in a game due to multiple controversies. Brown denied the allegations and said he would fight to clear his name. The NFL said at the time there was an ongoing investigation into Brown's conduct. Brown signed a one-year deal with the Buccaneers in October 2020.