The NFL has suspended ex-Patriots receiver Antonio Brown for the first eight games of the 2020 season.
Brown, who does not have a contract with any team, was suspended Friday under the league’s personal conduct policy.
A league source told the Globe that the suspension is related to the threatening text messages Brown allegedly sent to an artist he hired to do work in his home.
The artist spoke to Sports Illustrated about Brown making sexual advances toward her; after the story was published, she told SI he sent her messages.
The suspension also stems from an incident in January with a moving truck driver at Brown’s Florida residence. The 32-year-old receiver was charged with burglary with battery, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, and criminal mischief after refusing to pay the driver and throwing a rock at the vehicle. Brown was placed under house arrest briefly and is awaiting trial.
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Allegations of rape and sexual assault levied at Brown by his former trainer, Britney Taylor, are not factored into this eight-game suspension, according to the league source. Brown could face further punishment.
Taylor was interviewed by the NFL Sept. 16 as part of the league’s investigation into the allegations. On Sept. 20, Brown was released by the Patriots after playing just one game.
Brown can be signed by any team and would be eligible to participate in preseason activities. The suspension would take effect when teams make their final cuts Sept. 5.
As part of the discipline, Brown was directed to continue his program of counseling and treatment. He also was advised that any future violation of the personal conduct policy will “likely result in more significant discipline.”
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Katie McInerney can be reached at katie.mcinerney@globe.com. Follow her @k8tmac. Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.com.