For anyone who follows the NFL, the last few months have proved that wide receiver Antonio Brown is not the most exemplary member of the human race. Brown went nuclear on his own team. He trashed his quarterback, threatened violence on his general manager and illegally recorded phone calls of his coach, all in an effort to secure his release from the Oakland Raiders. On Saturday he got his wish and quickly signed with the Super Bowl champions New England Patriots.
But the Brown soap opera is not over. It's maybe only just beginning. Yesterday, ESPN received access to a lawsuit filed by Britney Taylor, Brown's former trainer, which claimed that she had been the victim of sexual assault three times by the current New England Patriots receiver in 2017 and 2018. The case was filed in the civil court in the Southern District of Florida.
There are also emails circulating on social media that Brown allegedly sent to Ms Taylor that do not paint Patriots wide receiver in the best light.
The Patriots released the following statement last night: "We take these allegations very seriously. Under no circumstances does this organisation condone sexual violence or assault. The league has informed us that they will be investigating. We will have no further comment while that investigation takes place."
Brown's lawyers last night released a statement denying the charges and added Brown and Taylor were involved in a "consensual personal relationship. Any sexual interaction with Mr. Brown was entirely consensual."
Brown will practice with the Patriots for the first time today.
The NFL has been criticised so many times for failing to properly discipline its players for sordid actions off the pitch. Given Brown's high-profile fallout with the Raiders, many NFL insiders are wondering if Brown will be immediately suspended as the league gathers more information about these allegations.
