A day after the Antonio Brown era came to an end in Tampa Bay in chaotic fashion, head coach Bruce Arians was asked about whether or not he regretted bringing in the controversial star to the franchise in the first place.
“I have no regrets,” Arians told reporters, per ESPN. “I just hope the best for him.”
Brown’s tenure came to an end after he refused to re-enter the game on Sunday, leading to one last outburst in which he removed his pads and jersey and tossed his undershirt into the stands at MetLife Stadium before waving bye to the fans as he made his way into the tunnel.
The NFL Network reported on Monday that Brown told the coaching staff he was not healthy enough to return to the field, but Arians denied that Brown ever said that.
“I don’t know that he was [injured],” Arians said. “…It’s pretty obvious what happened. He left the field and that was it. We had a conversation, and he left the field.”
Arians said that conversation did not involve Brown’s injured ankle and that nothing precipitated the moments that led to the outburst. He added he would never force a player to play through an injury if that player felt he was too hurt to continue.
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The head coach did not speak to Brown after he left the field. According to a police officer who spoke to ESPN, Brown asked state troopers for a ride to the airport when he entered the tunnel but they were unable to fulfill his request.
Brown was photographed waiting for an alternate ride to the airport and did not travel back with the team.
“It was very hard. I wish him well,” Arians said. “If he needs help, I hope he gets some. It’s very hard. Because I do care about him. … I hope that he’s OK.”
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