Former NFL star wide receiver Antonio Brown plans to accept a plea deal on an attempted murder charge in Miami that avoids prison, his lawyer said Wednesday, according to ABC News. The legal development brings a major shift to a high-profile criminal case stemming from a dispute following a celebrity boxing match.
Brown is scheduled to appear in court next Wednesday to make the plea agreement final, according to ABC News. If he had gone to trial and been convicted of the current attempted murder charge, he could have faced up to 30 years in prison.
The Incident and Arrest Warrant Details
The criminal case originates from an altercation in Miami on May 16, 2025, following a celebrity boxing match, according to an arrest warrant cited by ABC News. Investigators state that Brown grabbed a handgun from a security staffer and fired two shots at a man he had previously engaged in a fistfight with during the event.
The target of the gunfire, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, told investigators that one of the bullets grazed his neck, according to ABC News. In the wake of the incident, Brown asserted on social media that he was acting in self-defense against an attack and claimed that others were attempting to steal his jewelry.
Following the issuance of an arrest warrant in June 2025, Brown was later extradited in November 2025 from Dubai, where he maintains business interests, as reported by ABC News.
Defense Strategy and the Plea Agreement
Defense attorney Mark Eiglarsh addressed the resolution in a statement released Wednesday, explaining the rationale behind accepting the prosecution’s offer instead of testing the case before a jury, according to ABC News.
“This was not an easy decision,” defense attorney Mark Eiglarsh said in a statement reported by ABC News. “Antonio believes in his innocence. He believes strongly in his Stand Your Ground defense, and he believes he would ultimately prevail at trial. But when prosecutors put an offer on the table that transforms a potential decades-long prison sentence into a significantly reduced charge and probation, there was simply no way he could reasonably turn it down.”
Under the terms of the anticipated agreement, Brown will avoid prison time in favor of a substantially reduced charge and a period of probation, according to ABC News.
Athletic Background and Prior Legal History
Brown, 38, built a prolific 12-year career in the National Football League as an All-Pro wide receiver, earning a Super Bowl championship with quarterback Tom Brady while playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2021 season, according to ABC News. He spent much of his career with Pittsburgh, accumulating 928 receptions for over 12,000 yards and scoring 88 total touchdowns, which included punt returns and a single passing touchdown.
His tenure in the league came to an abrupt halt during a 2021 game against the New York Jets when he removed his jersey, shoulder pads, and gloves mid-game and ran off the field, leading to his release by Tampa Bay, as noted by ABC News.
Over the years, Brown has encountered multiple legal hurdles, including accusations involving the battery of a moving truck driver, domestic violence allegations, failure to pay child support, and other incidents, according to ABC News.
Next Steps in Court
The definitive resolution of the case rests on next Wednesday’s court appearance in Miami, where the formal plea deal is expected to be finalized and entered into the judicial record, according to ABC News. Archyde will continue to monitor the proceedings and provide updates as soon as the agreement is formally approved by the court.
Disclaimer: Legal matters and court proceedings are reported here for informational purposes based on available records and statements, and do not constitute legal advice. We welcome your thoughts and perspectives on this developing story in the comments below. Be sure to share this coverage with others who follow sports and legal news.
