Ex-Teammate Recalls Antonio Brown's Erratic Behavior with Buccaneers

Lavonte David says Brown's antics nearly derailed Tampa Bay's Super Bowl hopes.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 7:08pm

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Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David recounted the incidents that led to Antonio Brown's abrupt exit from the team in 2022. David described Brown as increasingly erratic and disruptive in the weeks leading up to his infamous on-field meltdown, including complaints about his role in the offense and outbursts during practices.

Why it matters

Brown's meltdown with the Buccaneers was one of the most bizarre incidents in recent NFL history, and David's firsthand account sheds light on the factors that contributed to Brown's downfall and the impact it had on the team's Super Bowl aspirations.

The details

According to David, Brown started showing signs of trouble after a strong performance against the Carolina Panthers, complaining about his touchdown production despite having over 100 receiving yards. When Brown returned from a suspension, David's teammates said he was 'going crazy' during a walkthrough practice, sprinting, catching balls, and cursing out coaches while demanding the ball. David said Brown's antics 'messed up our chances of going to a second Super Bowl' for the Buccaneers.

  • In the week leading up to Brown's outburst, the Buccaneers had played the Carolina Panthers.
  • Brown was suspended for three games prior to his return and subsequent meltdown.
  • Brown's infamous on-field exit occurred during a game at MetLife Stadium in 2022.

The players

Antonio Brown

A former wide receiver who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, known for his on-field success as well as his erratic off-field behavior.

Lavonte David

A former linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who witnessed Brown's disruptive behavior firsthand during the 2022 season.

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What they’re saying

“I was on IR at that time. That's, like, the second game I missed. I didn't travel. But, leading up to that, you saw it stirring up. You saw it brewing. Just because he came one day, we (were) in the locker room … and he came in there complaining about something. I think we played the Panthers prior, the week before. And he was complaining about how often he scored a touchdown.”

— Lavonte David, Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Linebacker

“They (were) like, 'Bro, AB was in practice going crazy — and it was a walkthrough practice. And he's just sprinting, catching the ball, throwing it at people, cursing people out.' I'm like, 'Damn, what's he snapping for?' He's going off on coaches like, 'Give me the fucking ball!'”

— Lavonte David, Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Linebacker

“To be honest with you, man, AB kinda messed up our chances of going to a second Super Bowl. He was that dude, bro.”

— Lavonte David, Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Linebacker

The takeaway

Antonio Brown's erratic behavior and disruptive antics during his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers highlight the challenges teams face in managing volatile star players. His actions ultimately undermined the team's chances of repeating as Super Bowl champions, serving as a cautionary tale about the importance of maintaining team chemistry and discipline.