It was inevitable. Whether it’s successful remains to be seen.
Via Anthony Olivieri of ESPN.com, former NFL receiver Antonio Brown seeks dismissal of an attempted murder charge based on Florida’s “stand your ground” law.
“Brown’s use of force on May 16, 2025, was fully justified,” Brown’s representation wrote in a motion filed this week. “Brown reasonably believed that the alleged victim intended to cause him serious harm.”
The “stand your ground” law eliminated the duty to retreat before unleashing deadly force.
The effort contains an admission that Brown did indeed fire a gun after he believed he had been attacked at a Miami celebrity boxing event.
“In that moment, Brown again reasonably feared death or great bodily harm,” the motion read, characterizing the action as “warning shots” aimed away from the person who had allegedly attacked Brown.
While I haven’t personally researched Florida law on this topic (that’s a lawyer’s way of saying “I don’t know”), it would seem that the issue ultimately will be part of the stew of facts a jury resolves at trial, like it did in the 2012 prosecution of George Zimmerman, who was acquitted for the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
And that’s an important point. It’s one thing for Brown’s lawyers to explain his version in writing. It will be quite another for Brown to get on the witness stand and explain why he did what he did.
Even though most criminal defendants elect not to testify, it’s virtually impossible to make the “stand your ground” defense without explaining to the jury the circumstances that led to the decision to act in self-defense.
The stakes are very high. Brown faces up to 30 years in prison, with a potential mandatory minimum of 20 years.
Thanksgiving weekend was also a time for the giving of various violent gestures during NFL games.
Of a whopping 31 fines levied by the league for Week 13, five were for use of the hands in a way that connotes antisocial behavior.
The league dinged Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and running back Bucky Irving for $14,491 and $6,349, respectively, for a touchdown celebration that included the no-no “nose wipe” gesture. (They weren’t penalized for it.)
The league prohibited the “nose wipe” earlier this year.
"[The nose wipe] has gang connotations; it’s disrespectful,” NFL executive V.P. of football operations Troy Vincent said when the gesture was banned. “It’s just where we are in society. Young men, they come from that era, from that age, and they’ve grown up on social media. If anybody Goggled ‘nose wipe,’ you’ll see the language that is used and where that’s affiliated. I think the players know better. I know they know better.
Also fined for violent gestures were Steelers receiver DK Metcalf ($14,491), Texans receiver Nico Collins ($14,491), and Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly ($5,722).
All fines are subject to appeal. The results of the appeals are not announced. It’s also unknown whether those who win their appeals celebrate with a nose wipe celebration.
The Raiders list defensive end Maxx Crosby (knee) as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Broncos.
Crosby missed his second consecutive day of practice.
In 12 games this season, Crosby has 59 tackles, an interception, eight sacks, 17 quarterback hits and six passes defensed.
Linebacker Jamal Adams (knee), offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (ankle), offensive guard Dylan Parham (back) and safety Jeremy Chinn (back) also are questionable.
Chinn popped up on the injury report Friday as a non-participant.
The Raiders ruled out wide receiver Alex Bachman (thumb), tight end Michael Mayer (ankle) and wide receiver Dont’e Thornton (concussion).
Quarterback Geno Smith (foot) had his second consecutive full practice and has no injury designation. He was limited on Wednesday.
The Broncos ruled out tight end Nate Adkins (knee) and defensive tackle D.J. Jones (ankle).
Raiders quarterback Geno Smith returned to full participation in Thursday’s practice.
Smith has a foot injury that limited him on Wednesday.
He played all 48 snaps in the Week 13 loss to the Chargers.
Smith has completed 67.3 percent of his passes for 2,532 yards with 15 touchdowns and a league-leading 14 interceptions.
Defensive end Maxx Crosby (knee) was downgraded to a non-participant after limited work on Wednesday.
Offensive guard Dylan Parham (back) returned to practice as a limited participant, and linebacker Jamal Adams (knee) sat out Thursday after full participation on Wednesday.
Offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (ankle) remained limited on Thursday.
Wide receiver Alex Bachman (thumb), tight end Michael Mayer (ankle), and wide receiver Dont’e Thornton (concussion) missed the session for a second consecutive day.
Raiders quarterback Geno Smith played all 48 snaps in the Week 13 loss to the Chargers. Smith, though, came out of the game with a foot injury.
The Raiders list Smith as limited at Wednesday’s practice.
He has completed 67.3 percent of his passes for 2,532 yards with 15 touchdowns and a league-leading 14 interceptions.
Defensive end Maxx Crosby (knee) also was limited.
Offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (ankle) was the other limited participant in the practice.
Wide receiver Alex Bachman (thumb), tight end Michael Mayer (ankle), offensive guard Kylan Parham (back) and wide receiver Dont’e Thornton (concussion) missed the session.
