American football
NFL suspends professionals for falsified vaccination cards
Antonio Brown, wide receiver of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and two other football professionals are said to have given false information about their vaccination status
© Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images / AFP
Three players in the American professional football league are said to have obtained fake vaccination cards – including wide receiver Antonio Brown. That now has consequences.
The US National Football League (NFL) has banned three professionals from three games for false information about their vaccination status. The league announced this on Thursday, several US media had reported about it. The three players are therefore Antonio Brown, wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his teammate Mike Edwards and the contractless professional John Franklin III.
All three, according to the NFL, have violated the league’s Covid-19 protocols. Their suspensions would take effect immediately, “as all three players have accepted the disciplinary measures and waived their right to appeal.” Brown and Edwards are not expected to play again until December 16, Franklin’s suspension will apply as soon as he is signed by a team. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the NFL report said, would not be punished – they had assisted the league in their investigation.
Brown accepts disciplinary action
The reason for the investigation was a Tampa Bay Times report, according to which Brown’s private chef told the newspaper that the 33-year-old and his girlfriend had bought fake vaccination cards. The team then stated that they had received vaccination cards from all players and that “no irregularities were found,” according to the NFL.
Brown’s attorney told the NFL that he was vaccinated and that he “continues to support vaccination for anyone for whom it is appropriate”. Instead of going through a “lengthy and distracting process” and contesting the NFL’s decision, Brown closed the matter, his attorney said. The wide receiver wanted to use the time to treat an ankle injury.
sources: “NFL network“;”CBS News“