Pats cut Brown after report on second accuser

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Wide receiver Antonio Brown was released by the New England Patriots on Friday after a second woman accused him of sexual misconduct.

The defending Super Bowl champions announced the move in a statement emailed to reporters, three minutes after Brown posted on Twitter: “Thank you for the opportunity Patriots #Gowinit.”

Already facing a civil suit claiming that he raped a former trainer, Brown was accused in a Sports Illustrated story published on Monday of exposing himself to an artist he hired to paint a mural at his home. He has denied both allegations.

After the article ran, the magazine

reported, the woman “received what she characterized as intimidating texts” from Brown that included pictures of her children.

The Patriots cut ties with the fourtime All-pro after just one game. Brown was released by the Raiders before Week 1 after a series of incidents, though none involved allegations of sexual misconduct.

A statement attributed to “a Patriots spokesperson” said, in its entirety: “The New England Patriots are releasing Antonio Brown. We appreciate the hard work of many people over the past 11 days, but we

feel that it is best to move in a different direction at this time.”

Patriots coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady declined to comment on Brown during their scheduled media availability Friday, a few hours before Brown was released. Belichick said during the morning that the team was looking into “some things,” then cut off his news conference when reporters continued to ask about Brown.

“It’s unfortunate things didn’t work out with the Patriots,” Brown’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus tweeted. “But Antonio is healthy and is looking forward to his next opportunity in the NFL. He wants to play the game he loves and he hopes to play for another team soon.” Raiders at Minnesota, 10 a.m., KVVU-5 Baltimore at Kansas City, 10 a.m., KLAS-8

New Orleans at Seattle, 1:25 p.m., KLAS-8

Los Angeles Rams at Cleveland, 5:20 p.m., KSNV-3