Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood erupted into chaos outside a warehouse hosting the “Brand Risk 007” boxing event. The star-studded night, organized by controversial streamer Adin Ross, took a violent turn when former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown was allegedly attacked in an attempted robbery. Videos of the brawl, complete with gunshots and Brown in handcuffs, flooded social media, turning a celebrity spectacle into a viral controversy. Brown’s claim that he “blacked out” due to a brain condition has sparked heated debate about athlete health, event safety, and the volatile mix of fame and public violence.
The “Brand Risk 007” event, held in a gritty warehouse, was the seventh in Ross’s series of influencer boxing matches, a growing trend where online personalities trade punches for clout and millions of views. Ross, a 24-year-old Kick streamer known for his brash persona and ties to figures like Donald Trump, drew a crowd of fans, influencers, and celebrities, including Brown, a former NFL All-Pro known for his dazzling career and turbulent personal life.
Around 3 a.m., as the event wound down, trouble brewed outside. According to Brown, multiple assailants targeted him, attempting to snatch his diamond chain. Videos captured a frantic scene: Brown, 36, throwing punches, being dragged to the ground, and kicking a security guard who tried to intervene. The crowd scattered as gunshots—allegedly fired by Brown in self-defense—rang out.
“It was total mayhem,”
said streamer FaZe Lacy, who described being “traumatized” by the panic.
Miami Police responded to a ShotSpotter alert, detaining Brown for about 20 minutes. No arrests were made, no injuries reported, and the investigation remains ongoing, with authorities sifting through dozens of cellphone videos.
Hours later, Brown appeared on Ross’s livestream, his demeanor casual despite the night’s events.
“Yeah, I got CTE. I blacked out… I ain’t know what happened,”
he said, prompting laughter from those around him. The comment referenced Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma, common among former NFL players like Brown, who endured countless hits over his 12-year career.
On X, Brown elaborated:
“I was jumped by multiple individuals who tried to steal my jewelry and cause physical harm to me. Contrary to some video circulating, Police temporarily detained me until they received my side of the story and then released me. I WENT HOME THAT NIGHT AND WAS NOT ARRESTED.”
He vowed to pursue legal action against his attackers, framing himself as a victim.
Brown’s CTE claim has ignited controversy. The condition, diagnosed posthumously in over 300 NFL players, can cause impulsivity, memory loss, and aggression, but its role in specific incidents like this is murky. Medical experts caution that “blacking out” isn’t a typical CTE symptom, and Brown’s casual delivery—met with chuckles—has led some to question whether he’s deflecting responsibility. Others see it as a grim nod to the toll of his football career, which included 928 receptions and countless collisions.
Brown’s history of erratic behavior, from a 2020 arrest for burglary to his infamous shirtless exit from a 2021 NFL game, complicates public sympathy.
“He’s either a victim of his brain injuries or playing the CTE card,”
one X user wrote, capturing the polarized sentiment.
The brawl has exposed glaring security lapses at Ross’s event. Held in a rented warehouse, the venue lacked professional crowd control, leaving high-profile guests like Brown vulnerable.
“I retained an attorney and could kick out the people who rented the space,”
the warehouse owner told Local 10 News, furious at the chaos. Critics argue Ross, whose events thrive on spectacle, bears responsibility for ensuring safety.
Social media amplified the incident, with clips of the fight and Brown’s CTE comment racking up millions of views. X posts ranged from mockery—
“AB out here speedrunning GTA side quests”
—to concern for his mental health. The viral spread underscores the double-edged sword of influencer culture, where chaos fuels engagement but risks real-world harm.
Miami Police are reviewing footage to determine if Brown fired a gun and whether it was legal self-defense. Florida’s permissive gun laws allow concealed carry with a permit, but discharging a firearm in public could violate statutes. Brown faces no charges as of May 18, but his legal history—coupled with unverified claims that streamer MarkyNextDoor was involved in the robbery—keeps the story in murky territory.
Ross, meanwhile, cheered Brown’s resilience, saying,
“You can’t take him down.”
His refusal to address the gunfire allegations has drawn scrutiny, with some questioning the ethics of profiting from such chaos.
