Former NFL star Antonio Brown walked into a Miami courtroom Wednesday expecting to finally put his attempted murder case behind him, but things did not go as planned.
Brown was scheduled to accept a plea deal that would significantly reduce the charge against him and keep him out of prison. Instead, Miami-Dade Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez postponed the hearing, saying she was not prepared to move forward with the change of plea while she was also involved in another trial.
The hearing has now been pushed back to October 28.
Brown, 38, was expected to plead no contest to aggravated assault rather than continue fighting the original charge of attempted second-degree murder. Under the proposed agreement, Brown would receive probation, and adjudication would be withheld, meaning he would not be classified as a convicted felon if the agreement is ultimately accepted.
For Brown, the deal represents a major reduction from the potential consequences he was facing. The original attempted murder charge could carry a sentence of up to 30 years in prison if he were convicted at trial.
His attorney, Mark Eiglarsh, said Brown was ready to move forward with the agreement and put the case behind him. After Wednesday’s postponement, however, Brown will have to wait at least another month for the judge to decide whether she will accept the proposed deal.
The case stems from an altercation outside a celebrity boxing event in Miami on May 16, 2025.
According to an arrest warrant, Brown allegedly got into a fistfight with Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu before grabbing a handgun from a security staffer and firing two shots.
Nantambu told investigators that one of the bullets grazed his neck.
Brown has maintained that he was acting in self-defense. His defense has pointed to Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, which can allow a person to use deadly force when they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily harm.
Brown’s attorney previously said his client strongly believed he could prevail at trial but ultimately agreed to the plea deal because it would replace the potential decades-long prison sentence with a reduced charge and probation.
The Alleged Victim Forgives Brown
Nantambu’s attorney, Richard Cooper, has also indicated that his client supports the proposed resolution.
Cooper said Nantambu forgives Brown and would not cooperate further with prosecutors.
After Wednesday’s hearing was postponed, Nantambu reportedly expressed hope that Brown would use the opportunity to move forward and be there for his family.
That means the case now remains in limbo until Brown returns to court next month.
Brown Was Extradited From Dubai
Brown was arrested after an arrest warrant was issued in connection with the shooting and was later extradited from Dubai to the United States in November 2025.
He has since been released on bond while the case moves through the Miami-Dade court system.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver has remained a major name in football even after his NFL career ended.
Brown played 12 seasons in the league, earning All-Pro honors and winning a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers alongside Tom Brady. He finished his NFL career with 928 receptions, more than 12,000 receiving yards and 88 total touchdowns.
For now, Brown will have to wait.
His plea deal was expected to be finalized Wednesday, but the judge’s decision to postpone the hearing means nothing has been finalized yet. Brown is scheduled to return to court on October 28, when the proposed agreement can be addressed again.
Until then, the original attempted second-degree murder charge remains pending.
Video Credit: WPLG Local 10