AB suspended despite not being on NFL team

NEW YORK — The NFL suspended wide receiver Antonio Brown for the first eight regular-season games of the 2020 season.

Brown, who does not have a contract with any team, was suspended Friday under the league’s personal conduct policy.

The former longtime Pittsburgh Steelers star, who played one game last season for the New England Patriots before being released, can be signed by any team and would be eligible to participate in all of his club’s preseason activities. The suspension would take effect when teams make their final cuts on Sept. 5.

As part of the discipline, Brown was directed to continue his program of counseling and treatment. He also was advised that any future violation of the personal conduct policy will “likely result in more significant discipline.”

Brown’s agent, Ed Wasielewski, wrote in a statement posted on Twitter that the wide receiver will not appeal the suspension.

“He is excited to resume his outstanding football career and is looking forward to playing in the 2020 season,” Wasielewski said.

Brown pleaded no contest on June 12 to charges related to a fight with a moving truck driver outside his South Florida home earlier this year. As part of the deal with Broward County prosecutors, Brown pleaded no contest to burglary with battery, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and criminal mischief.

The wide receiver must serve two years of probation, undergo a psychological evaluation and follow-up treatment, attend an anger management course, perform 100 hours of community service and follow a stay-away order from the truck driver and the moving company owner. Because the the judge in the case withheld adjudication, Brown won’t receive a criminal conviction on his record if he successfully completes his probation.

The 32-year-old established himself as one of the NFL’s top wide receivers during his nine seasons with the Steelers, being named to the All-Pro team four times and selected for seven Pro Bowls.