Ex-NFL star Antonio Brown avoids jail time as part of plea deal after Miami shooting

Former NFL star Antonio Brown will avoid jail time as part of a plea deal he accepted in a Miami-Dade court on Friday.

The guilty plea is in connection to a shooting that happened outside a celebrity boxing match in Miami in May 2025.

The 38-year-old Brown is accused of grabbing a handgun from a security guard at a May 16, 2025, celebrity boxing match before opening fire on a man he had gotten into a fistfight with earlier, authorities said,

Prosecutors alleged Brown fired two shots at the man, with one of the bullets grazing the victim's neck.

Brown was initially facing an attempted second-degree murder charge, but because the victim did not want to cooperate with the state attorney's office and prosecutors couldn't prove the shooting was intentional, state attorneys offered Brown the deal.

Brown and his attorney, Mark Eiglarsh, spoke after the hearing.

"We're extremely grateful that this is finally behind us. My client was facing 30 years in prison with a 20-year minimum mandatory, and he was given an offer he just couldn't refuse. Probation was too good to turn down, and we're both very excited about the outcome," Eiglarsh said.

"I thank God," Brown added.

The victim in the case has since spoken out, claiming he forgave Brown, wanted the case to be closed and hoped Brown receives the help he needs. He also spoke to NBC6 on Friday.

"God shows mercy to those who show mercy, and I pray that this is an experience, it's a tool, for AB to become Abdul," he said.

Brown was ordered to have no contact with the victim, receive a psychological evaluation and get treatment if necessary. With the plea deal, he avoids a criminal conviction.

Brown last played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2021 season and in what turned out to be his final game, famously stormed off the field bare chested.

NBC News contributed.