NFL suspends Antonio Brown, Mike Edwards, John Franklin III for fake vaccination cards
Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times
TAMPA, Fla. — The NFL has suspended Bucs receiver Antonio Brown, safety Mike Edwards and former Bucs receiver John Franklin III three games without pay for using fake COVID-19 vaccination cards.
All three players accepted their discipline and waived their right to an appeal, the league said in a statement released Thursday.
The NFL began its investigation after the Tampa Bay Times reported that Brown obtained and utilized a fake vaccination card, according to his former live-in chef, Steven Ruiz.
The NFL Players Association represented all three players during a joint review that supported the allegations and found each violated league protocols.
Brown, 33, is recovering from an ankle injury he sustained in a win at Philadelphia on Oct. 14. The Bucs said the injury will force him to miss Sunday’s game at Atlanta and the Dec. 12 game against Buffalo at Raymond James Stadium.
With the suspension, Brown and Edwards won’t be eligible to return until Week 16, when the Bucs host the Carolina Panthers the day after Christmas.
In addition, the suspension will cost Brown three game checks at $61,111 each, or $183,333. Edwards’ suspension will cost him $141,666.
When the Tampa Bay Times reported allegations that Brown had used a fake vaccination card, the Bucs issued a statement saying all their players were vaccinated and “no irregularities were observed.”
But on Thursday, they thanked the NFL for its expedited investigation.
“We appreciate the League’s timely handling of this matter and recognize the importance of health and safety protocols that have been established,” the Bucs said in a statement. “We will continue to implement all league COVID-19 protocols.”
The problems for Brown, Edwards and Franklin may not end with the NFL’s suspension. Using and/or selling fake vaccination cards is a felony subject to fines and up to five years in prison.
The NFL statement was very carefully worded so as not to charge the three players with a crime, saying they “misrepresented their COVID-19 vaccination status.”
The suspensions are the first for the NFL under the league’s COVID-19 policy. Teams are responsible for verifying personnel and player vaccination status. Players are supposed to present the cards to to the club medical staff or infection control officer.
Ruiz had alleged that Brown purchased the fake vaccination card from Franklin. But Edwards’ involvement is a new revelation.
When asked about his vaccination status on July 27, shortly after training camp began, Edwards, 25, said: “I don’t really want to talk about vaccinations, really. It is what it is.” Asked if he might change his mind about getting vaccinated, Edwards said, “I don’t know. We’ll see.”
Franklin, 27, a star of the Netflix series, “Last Chance U,” was cut by the Bucs in August when the team reached its 85-man roster limit. He spent all of 2020 on injured reserve after tearing his ACL but received a Super Bowl ring.
At the time of the allegations, Brown’s attorney, Sean Burstyn, told the Tampa Bay 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.
In Sunday’s comeback win over the Colts, Edwards forced a fumble and made a tackle on a 72-yard kickoff return that might have tied the score in the closing seconds.
Ruiz, the owner of Taste That LA, met Brown when he catered a party for the Bucs receiver in June. On July 2, he received a text message from Brown’s girlfriend, Cydney Moreau, asking if he could get a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine card and said Brown would pay him $500.
Ruiz, who says Brown owes him $10,000, moved to the receiver’s Davis Islands home in July and was there when Brown told him he had purchased a fake vaccination card for him and Moreau from Franklin. Alex Guerrero, a personal trainer and co-founder of TB12 with Tom Brady, photographed the card and sent it to Bucs head trainer Bobby Slater. Ruiz said he believes that Guerrero was unaware the card was fake.
“I’m just happy the truth is out there now,” Ruiz said. “A lot of news outlets were just accusing me of lying. It is a relief knowing the NFL did investigate. I honestly didn’t think they were going to for a minute. It seems like they did what they needed to do.”
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Rick Scuteri
The NFL, the NFL Players Association and their medical directors and independent infectious disease experts put together the protocols. The discipline for violating them was negotiated, with the league and union reaching agreement on specific fines for players. The NFL determines fines for franchises in violation of the protocols.
Rick Scuteri
The NFL, the NFL Players Association and their medical directors and independent infectious disease experts put together the protocols. The discipline for violating them was negotiated, with the league and union reaching agreement on specific fines for players. The NFL determines fines for franchises in violation of the protocols.
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Ed Zurga
They are broken down in several categories.
For any player who fails or refuses to fully cooperate with an investigation led by the NFL and/or NFLPA regarding compliance: one week’s salary up to $50,000. And for refusal to submit to required virus testing: $50,000.
For refusal to wear a tracking device when required: $14,650.
An unvaccinated player gathering in any number for any reason with other players and/or members of the club’s staff at a time when the team is “shut down” due to a COVID-19 outbreak is a $50,000 fine.
For any player who is not fully vaccinated, the $14,650 fine applies to:
— Gathering outside of the club facility or team travel in groups of more than three players or other individuals.
— Engaging in in-person meetings, practices and/or training activities outside of club facilities with other players and/or staff.
— Attending an indoor nightclub (unless the player is wearing personal protective equipment and there are no more than 10 people in the club). Or attending an indoor bar (other than to pick up food, or unless the player is wearing PPE and there are no more than 10 people in the bar).
— House gatherings of more than 15 people without the player and all guests wearing masks or PPE, or where social distancing for the more than fifteen people is impossible.
— Attending an indoor music concert/entertainment event. And attending a professional sporting event (other than applicable NFL games or events; or unless the player is seated in a separate section, such as a suite or owner’s box, is wearing PPE and there are no more than 10 people in that separate section).
— Attending an event that is prohibited by state and/or local regulation or other executive orders or laws implemented due to COVID-19.
— Refusal to wear a mask or PPE; and/or maintain physical distancing in club facilities or during travel.
Ed Zurga
They are broken down in several categories.
For any player who fails or refuses to fully cooperate with an investigation led by the NFL and/or NFLPA regarding compliance: one week’s salary up to $50,000. And for refusal to submit to required virus testing: $50,000.
For refusal to wear a tracking device when required: $14,650.
An unvaccinated player gathering in any number for any reason with other players and/or members of the club’s staff at a time when the team is “shut down” due to a COVID-19 outbreak is a $50,000 fine.
For any player who is not fully vaccinated, the $14,650 fine applies to:
— Gathering outside of the club facility or team travel in groups of more than three players or other individuals.
— Engaging in in-person meetings, practices and/or training activities outside of club facilities with other players and/or staff.
— Attending an indoor nightclub (unless the player is wearing personal protective equipment and there are no more than 10 people in the club). Or attending an indoor bar (other than to pick up food, or unless the player is wearing PPE and there are no more than 10 people in the bar).
— House gatherings of more than 15 people without the player and all guests wearing masks or PPE, or where social distancing for the more than fifteen people is impossible.
— Attending an indoor music concert/entertainment event. And attending a professional sporting event (other than applicable NFL games or events; or unless the player is seated in a separate section, such as a suite or owner’s box, is wearing PPE and there are no more than 10 people in that separate section).
— Attending an event that is prohibited by state and/or local regulation or other executive orders or laws implemented due to COVID-19.
— Refusal to wear a mask or PPE; and/or maintain physical distancing in club facilities or during travel.
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Bruce Kluckhohn
The NFL was not specific on that, but Rodgers had been seen without a mask at the Packers' facility, particularly during news conferences.
Rodgers, who in August said he was “immunized” against COVID-19, said Tuesday: “I made some comments that people might have felt were misleading. To anybody who felt misled by those comments, I take full responsibility for those comments.”
Rodgers said Friday that he sought alternative treatments rather than the NFL-endorsed vaccinations because he is allergic to an ingredient in the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. He didn’t specify the ingredient.
Bruce Kluckhohn
The NFL was not specific on that, but Rodgers had been seen without a mask at the Packers' facility, particularly during news conferences.
Rodgers, who in August said he was “immunized” against COVID-19, said Tuesday: “I made some comments that people might have felt were misleading. To anybody who felt misled by those comments, I take full responsibility for those comments.”
Rodgers said Friday that he sought alternative treatments rather than the NFL-endorsed vaccinations because he is allergic to an ingredient in the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. He didn’t specify the ingredient.
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Tony Dejak
The NFL may impose discipline on such players or ones who knowingly provide misleading or incomplete information during a contact tracing interview. The maximum fine amount is for one week’s game check up to $50,000 for a first offense. But there could be subsequent discipline for further offenses.
Tony Dejak
The NFL may impose discipline on such players or ones who knowingly provide misleading or incomplete information during a contact tracing interview. The maximum fine amount is for one week’s game check up to $50,000 for a first offense. But there could be subsequent discipline for further offenses.
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Charlie Riedel
Yes — based upon the absence of just cause; whether the player actually was engaged in such conduct; whether the punishment imposed by the NFL was warranted for that conduct; and a variety of other allowable bases.
Rodgers appealed the decision to not accept his treatments as equal to a vaccination but lost the appeal. He has not yet appealed Tuesday's fine and has not indicated he will do so.
Charlie Riedel
Yes — based upon the absence of just cause; whether the player actually was engaged in such conduct; whether the punishment imposed by the NFL was warranted for that conduct; and a variety of other allowable bases.
Rodgers appealed the decision to not accept his treatments as equal to a vaccination but lost the appeal. He has not yet appealed Tuesday's fine and has not indicated he will do so.
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Ross D. Franklin
Repeat violations would subject players to increased discipline, including for conduct detrimental to the game. A maximum fine of one week’s salary and/or suspension without pay for four weeks or less would be imposed.
Ross D. Franklin
Repeat violations would subject players to increased discipline, including for conduct detrimental to the game. A maximum fine of one week’s salary and/or suspension without pay for four weeks or less would be imposed.
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Phelan M. Ebenhack
All 32 NFL teams are required to ensure a safe environment not only at their facilities but at stadiums and during travel. They also are required to monitor the actions of players and staff, which includes taking around-the-clock videos at their facilities.
Players also must inform the team if they are vaccinated, and those who are not must adhere to specific protocols for them. The NFL found that the Packers did not handle these situations properly.
Phelan M. Ebenhack
All 32 NFL teams are required to ensure a safe environment not only at their facilities but at stadiums and during travel. They also are required to monitor the actions of players and staff, which includes taking around-the-clock videos at their facilities.
Players also must inform the team if they are vaccinated, and those who are not must adhere to specific protocols for them. The NFL found that the Packers did not handle these situations properly.
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Michael Conroy
Yes, but it is unlikely. After several teams were discovered to have violated protocols in 2020 — leading to COVID-19 outbreaks and, at times, schedule adjustments — only one, New Orleans, was stripped of a 2022 sixth-round pick. The Saints were sanctioned by the league for inconsistent cooperation. The Packers have not been cited for that.
Michael Conroy
Yes, but it is unlikely. After several teams were discovered to have violated protocols in 2020 — leading to COVID-19 outbreaks and, at times, schedule adjustments — only one, New Orleans, was stripped of a 2022 sixth-round pick. The Saints were sanctioned by the league for inconsistent cooperation. The Packers have not been cited for that.
NFL suspends Antonio Brown, Mike Edwards, John Franklin III for fake vaccination cards
Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times/TNS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) scores a touchdown in the second quarter during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Raymond James Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)
Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times/TNS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) scores a touchdown in the second quarter during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Raymond James Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)
