Bruce Arians isn't happy Antonio Brown and Mike Edwards used fake COVID-19 vaccination cards to trick the Tampa Bay Buccaneers into thinking they were vaccinated. Arians spoke out about the issue Friday, saying it "pisses me off," according to Jenna Laine of ESPN.
Arians defended how his team handled COVID-19, saying the Bucs "have done an amazing job."
"In the last two years, I don't know if there's been a team better at COVID than we've been. This is a setback because of what happened. But we have done an amazing job, and even when the guys — we have never had an outbreak in a position room. So I'm very happy with that part."
In September, Arians announced the Buccaneers were one of the few NFL teams to reach 100-percent vaccination status. He stood by that claim after a report suggested Brown purchased a counterfeit vaccination card, saying the Bucs did their "due diligence" with the situation.
Following the NFL's findings, and the suspensions of Brown, Edwards and free-agent John Franklin III, Arians seemed to accept the Bucs were duped. Arians said that revelation "pisses me off." He added he hopes the NFL investigates the rest of the league to see if any other players tried to circumvent the rules.
Bruce Arians does not comment on Antonio Brown's future
Arians did not comment on Brown's future with the team following the suspension. Arians said he would treat both Brown and Edwards as if they were injured players, meaning he won't talk about their future with the team until both players are healthy.
Brown and Edwards were suspended three games without pay for misrepresenting their COVID-19 vaccination status. Both players are also dealing with injuries. Brown was expected to miss two games due to an ankle issue before the suspension was issued. Edwards is dealing with a knee injury.
Brown and Edwards will be eligible to return from their suspensions in Week 16.
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