Former NFL star Antonio Brown has avoided prison after pleading guilty to a reduced charge of aggravated assault with a firearm in connection with a shooting outside a celebrity boxing event in Miami in May 2025. On November 6, 2026, Brown appeared in court and accepted the agreement, bringing a major legal case that initially exposed him to a potential 30-year prison sentence closer to resolution.
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez sentenced the 38-year-old former wide receiver to three years of probation instead of imprisonment. The agreement also allows Brown to avoid a formal criminal conviction, provided he fulfils the conditions imposed by the court.
The decision follows more than a year of legal proceedings after Brown was accused of firing a gun during an altercation with Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu. His attorney, Mark Eiglarsh, welcomed the outcome, describing the agreement as an opportunity to resolve a case that could have carried severe consequences for his client.
Antonio Brown’s Plea Deal Includes Three Years of Probation
Under the agreement, Brown must complete three years of probation and attend weekly counselling sessions. He is also prohibited from possessing firearms during the probation period.
The arrangement includes the possibility of early termination after approximately 18 months, provided Brown complies with all court requirements. The plea also involves a withholding of adjudication, meaning he will not have a formal criminal conviction entered against him.
Speaking about the agreement, attorney Mark Eiglarsh told the Associated Press that Brown faced a potential 30-year prison sentence, including a 20-year mandatory minimum.
He described the prosecution’s offer as
“an offer he just couldn’t refuse.”
The agreement therefore allows Brown to avoid prison while resolving the aggravated assault case through supervised probation.
Details of the 2025 Miami Shooting Case
The incident occurred on May 16, 2025, outside a celebrity boxing event hosted in Miami. Authorities alleged that Brown took a handgun from a security staff member and fired two shots at Nantambu following an earlier physical altercation. One of the bullets reportedly grazed Nantambu’s neck.
Brown maintained that he acted in self-defense, claiming that he was attacked by people attempting to steal his jewellery. His legal team also explored Florida’s Stand Your Ground law during the proceedings.
Following the incident, Brown travelled to Dubai before being extradited to the United States in November 2025 to face the charges.
The reduced plea now allows him to avoid the potential prison sentence associated with the original attempted murder charge.
Antonio Brown’s NFL Career Before the Legal Case
Brown played 12 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and became one of the league’s most recognisable wide receivers. He also won Super Bowl LV with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021 alongside quarterback Tom Brady.
His NFL career effectively ended during the 2021 season when he removed his jersey and equipment before walking off the field during a game against the New York Jets. The Buccaneers subsequently released him.
At 38, Brown now faces three years of court-supervised probation following the Miami shooting case. His compliance with the agreement will determine whether he can seek early termination after approximately 18 months.
