NFL suspends Antonio Brown, Mike Edwards, John Franklin III for fake vaccination cards

TAMPA — Due to their use of phony COVID-19 immunization cards, safety Mike Edwards, former Bucs receiver John Franklin III, and receiver Antonio Brown of the Bucs were all suspended three games without pay by the NFL.

The league stated in a statement released on Thursday that all three players have accepted their punishment and forfeited their right to an appeal.

Following the Tampa Bay Times’ discovery that Brown had procured and used a phony vaccination card, the NFL launched an investigation. Brown’s former live-in cook, Steven Ruiz, provided the information.

In a joint investigation that revealed all three players had broken league rules and validated the accusations, the NFL Players Association defended their positions.

According to two witnesses, Brown’s COVID-19 card originated in Citrus County, an isolated region of Florida located 80 miles north of Tampa. The players were provided with easy access to vaccinations at the team’s location in order to adhere to the league’s stringent regulations.

The 33-year-old Brown is healing from an ankle injury he suffered on October 14 during a victory at Philadelphia. The Bucs stated that the injury will prevent him from playing in Sunday’s game against Atlanta and the Raymond James Stadium matchup against Buffalo on December 12.

The NFL’s ban might not be the end of Brown, Edwards, and Franklin’s issues. Fake vaccination cards are illegal and can result in penalties and/or up to five years in jail.

The NFL said that the three players “misrepresented their COVID-19 vaccination status,” using extremely precise wording to avoid accusing them with a felony.

The NFL has never suspended players before as a result of the COVID-19 policy. Teams are in charge of confirming the immunization status of their players and staff. The cards are intended to be presented by players to the infection control officer or club medical staff.

According to Ruiz, Brown bought the phony vaccination card from Franklin. However, Edwards’ role has only come to light.

At the time of the allegations, Brown’s attorney, Sean Burstyn, told the Times that Brown had been vaccinated at a drive-thru site before he met Ruiz last June in Los Angeles.

Brown was among the first NFL players, once a vaccine was available, to test positive for COVID-19 and missed the Bucs’ Week 3 game against the Rams in Los Angeles.

After Brown received his suspension Thursday, Burstyn said the receiver decided not to challenge the NFL review.

“Mr. Brown is vaccinated and continues to support the vaccine for any person for whom it is appropriate,” Burstyn said. “The NFL made its determination and, instead of going through the drawn-out and distracting process of challenging the outcome, Mr. Brown wrapped this up promptly and he will make the most of this time treating his ankle injury. Mr. Brown will be motivated, well rested, and in the best shape of his life when he returns in Week 16.”

Brown appeared on a podcast hosted by Bucs cornerback Richard Sherman earlier this week and maintained his innocence. “That’s the sad part,” Brown said. “The country says you’re innocent ‘til proven guilty, but you’re guilty until you show your innocence. Anything someone says, everyone’s already magnifying it.”

Edwards, a valuable member of the Bucs secondary at safety who also plays a slot cornerback position, did not participate in practice for the second straight day due to a knee injury.

Brown’s lawyer, Sean Burstyn, told the Times at the time of the accusations that Brown had received his vaccination at a drive-thru location prior to meeting Ruiz in Los Angeles in June of last year.

After a vaccine became available, Brown was one of the first NFL players to test positive for COVID-19. As a result, he was unable to play in the Bucs’ Week 3 matchup against the Rams in Los Angeles.

Burstyn claimed that following Brown’s punishment on Thursday, the receiver made the decision not to contest the NFL investigation.

Burstyn stated, “Mr. Brown has received a vaccination and will continue to support vaccination for anyone for whom it is appropriate.” “The NFL made its decision, and Mr. Brown resolved this quickly and he avoided the tiresome and time-consuming process of contesting the result.