Antonio Brown denies new sexual misconduct claims as scandal grows
Embattled New England Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown was implicated in a second sexual misconduct claim, in addition to a growing list of allegations.
Antonio Brown continues to find himself in the limelight, even if it’s not always for the right reasons.
On the heels of finally making his long-awaited football debut in the New England Patriots‘ massacre of the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, a new Sports Illustrated article came out that graphically detailed Brown’s role in “a previously untold account of sexual misconduct, a charity auction theft, multiple domestic incidents, and a long list of unpaid debts,” per author Robert Klemko.
It was a thoroughly damning piece that should cause quite a bit of consternation for Patriots fans – as well as fans of Antonio Brown in general. As ESPN’s Mike Reiss later noted, Brown’s legal team was quick to dismiss the story as untrue. Brown’s lawyer Darren Heitner, who previously issued the public response statement to Britney Taylor’s original sexual assault allegations against AB, tweeted the following on Monday after the SI article went public:
The article categorically lists a number of incidents that paint Brown in a very unflattering light, but it’s the sexual misconduct allegation that should probably be considered the most alarming.
Klemko tells the story of an artist that Brown allegedly commissioned to paint a mural of his likeness in his Pennsylvania home. According to the artist, Brown made numerous inappropriate advances on her, which finally culminated in him approaching her from behind, naked save for a small hand towel covering his genitalia, to initiate what she described as “a clear sexual come-on.”
The artist, who requested anonymity, told Klemko that she is “not pursuing charges or remuneration” for her time spent painting, but that “she was bothered by his behavior,” and felt compelled to share her story after the rape allegations made by Taylor against Brown went public last Tuesday through a civil suit court filing.
Taylor, who was a college friend of Brown’s as well as his former trainer, reportedly met with the NFL offices on Monday to share her account of what transpired between her and Brown during three separate incidents of sexual misbehavior from 2017 to 2018, including a rape allegation. The league is also expected to meet with Brown at some point while conducting their investigation into these claims.
So far, neither the NFL nor the Patriots have taken any form of disciplinary action against Brown. New England has maintained a position that they will defer to the league when it comes to figuring out how best to handle the ongoing situation.