Bucs’ Brown accused of having fake vaccine card
A Los Angeles chef who told a newspaper that Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver An- tonio Brown obtained a fake COVID-19 vaccination card also said the player owes him $10,000.
The Tampa Bay Times reported Thursday that Ste- ven Ruiz provided the news- paper with a screenshot of a July 2 text message exchange in which Brown’s girlfriend asked the former live-in chef if he could obtain Johnson & Johnson vaccination cards for the player.
When the personal chef replied he could try, the girlfriend responded “Ab said he would give you $500.”
Ruiz, who also claimed Brown owes him an uncollected debt of $10,000, told the newspaper he was unable to find a vaccination card for Brown.
The chef added that a few weeks later he observed two vaccine cards on a dining room table that the receiver told him were purchased for the player and his girlfriend.
The Buccaneers announced shortly before the start of the regular season that their entire roster and coaching staff were fully vaccinated.
The reigning Super Bowl champions released a one paragraph statement in response to the newspaper report: “After an extensive educational process conducted throughout our organi- zation this past offseason highlighting the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines, we received completed vaccination cards from all Tampa Bay Buccaneers players and submitted the required information to the NFL through the established process in accordance with league policy. All vaccination cards were reviewed by Buccaneers personnel and no irregularities were observed.”
NFL vice president of communications Brian McCarthy said the league was aware of the report and had been in contact with the Bucs.
“We will review the matter,” McCarthy said.
Brown, who did not practice Thursday, has been sidelined the past month with an ankle injury. He also missed one game in September (a loss at the Rams) after testing positive for COVID-19.
Tampa Bay is 5-0 in games Brown has played this season, 1-3 in those he’s missed.
Clubs are responsible for verifying personnel and player vaccination status, with individuals required to present their vaccination cards to team medical staff for verification.
Any attempt by team personnel or players to use a forged or fake card is subject to be reviewed under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
TITANS WR BROWN TELLS OF DEPRESSION >> Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown seemed to have everything going his way in 2020, having his best season yet in the NFL on the way to earning his first Pro Bowl honor.
Behind his big smile, Brown said Thursday he was battling so hard with depression back then that he thought of killing himself. He shared a video on social media Nov. 12 on the oneyear anniversary of that dark time, encouraging people to ask for help, and Brown told reporters that’s why he finally spoke up.
“It was a dark moment, and it was a year ago where I had thought about taking my life, you know? And it was special to me because it just came with my heart that I wanted to share with others and help others so much as I can,” Brown said of sharing his own struggle.
Growing up in Mississippi, Brown said he always brushed off his feelings and didn’t consider what depression really was. Brown wouldn’t share what led to his depression. Those feelings wound up almost overwhelming him.
NFL LOOKS TO CURB TAUNTING >> The NFL has sent a training video focusing on taunting and created for teaching purposes.
In a memo from football operations chief Troy Vincent to the 32 teams, the video reviews actions that are appropriate celebrations and are encouraged. It also spotlights video examples of disrespectful acts toward the opposition and/or the bench area of the opponent.
Vincent stressed to the teams the importance of keeping sportsmanship in the game.