Report: Antonio Brown sent ‘intimidating’ text messages to accuser from ‘SI’ story, asked associates to investigate her
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
A recent story by Robert Klemko in SI detailed Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown’s alleged questionable dealings with several people, including a new accusation of sexual misconduct by an artist he hired to paint a mural of him. Now, Klemko reports that Brown sent the same artist a series of what she deemed “intimidating” text messages on Wednesday night.
Klemko tweeted screenshots of the texts, which you can read below. He also explained in subsequent tweets his process for verifying that it was Brown who sent them. The texts were a group thread that included the artist and several of Brown’s associates, which he instructed to “look up her background history” and “see how broke this girl is”. The texts also include pictures of the artist’s children.
New tonight: Antonio Brown sent our source from Monday’s story menacing group text messages, including a picture of her children with instructions for his associates to investigate her.
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) September 20, 2019
Her lawyer wrote the NFL calling for the intimidation to stop. https://t.co/rCTM8WSI6Z pic.twitter.com/QtONzBf7Ig
The artist’s attorney, Lisa J. Banks, has also sent a letter to the NFL pleading to end conduct that she believes was “intimidating and threatening to our client, in violation of the NFL Personal Conduct Policy.”
Banks also told SI: “We have confidence the NFL and the Patriots will step in and end this behavior.”
The artist previously accused Brown of making a sexual advance toward her while she was working on the mural of him at his home. She was the second person to accuse him of such behavior, after his former trainer Britney Taylor filed a civil lawsuit accusing him of rape and sexual assault in three separate incidents.
Antonio Brown spoke with reporters for the first time as a Patriot on Thursday, saying he’s “just here to focus on ball” when asked if he’s heard from the league about his status.
At this point, the only recourse the Patriots have to “step in” is to cut Brown. This is the first known incident involving the receiver that happened while he’s in a New England uniform. The Pats are the best team in the league at compartmentalizing these issues and minimizing the noise, but it’s unlikely that this is the last time something pops up with Brown and the threat remains that he could do something that lands him on the commissioner’s exempt list.
Bill Belichick is expected to address reporters on Friday at 11:15 a.m. at Gillette Stadium. Buckle up.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
