7:00 PM PT -- The NFL just issued a statement addressing AB's status within the league, saying … "Antonio Brown was released today by the New England Patriots and is currently an unrestricted free agent. Our office is presently investigating multiple allegations, some of which are the subject of pending litigation."
"We have as yet made no findings regarding these issues. The investigation is ongoing and will be pursued vigorously and expeditiously. As long as Mr. Brown is a free agent, placement on the Commissioners Exempt list is not appropriate. If he is signed by a club, such placement may become appropriate at any time depending on the status of the investigation."
"Upon the conclusion of the investigation, he may also be subject to discipline if the investigation finds that he has violated the law or the league policies."
4:14 PM PT -- Tom Brady is still showing love for Antonio Brown ... responding to his Instagram post with 3 heart emojis.
4:06 PM PT -- The lawyers for the second accuser have just released a statement praising New England for the move ... saying, "The NFL and the Patriots clearly took our client's concerns seriously."
"She wanted the threats and intimidation to stop and we hope that will be the case. The NFL has assured us that regardless of Antonio Brown's roster status, it will continue to investigate all claims regarding his behavior."
3:31 PM PT -- TMZ Sports spoke with Brown's former teammate in Pittsburgh, Ike Taylor, and he tells us he wants to reach out to AB and "let him know that I'm here for him."
"While everybody is doing the opposite and kind of kicking him while he's down," Taylor says, "I'm going to reach out to him."
1:54 PM PT -- Antonio Brown's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, just issued a statement about the WR saying, "It's unfortunate things didn't work out with the Patriots."
"But Antonio is healthy and is looking forward to his next opportunity in the NFL. He wants to play the game he loves and he hopes to play for another team soon."
Brown is now giving away the football from the only TD he scored with the Patriots ... and he's holding a caption contest on IG to select a winner.
The New England Patriots have just parted ways with Antonio Brown after a new NFL investigation into concerning text messages.
"Thank you for the opportunity @Patriots #GoWinIt," Brown posted on Twitter ... adding, "The marathon continues."
He also posted a photo with Tom Brady on Instagram, "Love ya champ. That was fun!"
Brown was only an official member of the Pats for 11 days.
The Patriots issued a statement saying, "The New England Patriots are releasing Antonio Brown. We appreciate the hard work of many people over the past 11 days, but we feel that it is best to move in a different direction at this time."
The writing was certainly on the wall ... Patriots head coach Bill Belichick shut down a press conference Friday morning because he was sick of answering questions about the WR.
As we previously reported, the Patriots signed Brown on Sept. 7 -- hours after he was cut by the Oakland Raiders following multiple issues with Raiders executives.
Brown didn't sign his contract with the Pats until Sept. 9. His deal was a 1-year contract worth up to $15 mil with a $9 million signing bonus.
Days after Brown signed his deal with the Pats, a woman named Britney Taylor filed a lawsuit against AB accusing him of forcible rape in 2018, along with 2 allegations of sexual assault in 2017.
Brown has denied all wrongdoing and vowed to explore his own legal options. Brown was not arrested or charged with a crime in that case. Taylor never went to police.
Earlier this week, Sports Illustrated published a report containing allegations from a 2nd woman who accused Brown of sexual misconduct.
Brown later sent that woman menacing text messages in which Brown directs associates to look into the accuser's family. He also sent a pic of the accuser's children.
The NFL was contacted by the woman's attorney and immediately launched an investigation.
Despite the investigation, Belichick suggested the team was planning on using Brown on Sunday when they take on the NY Jets.
Brown played 24 snaps for the Patriots in his debut with the team against the Dolphins last weekend. He saw 8 passes from Tom Brady, catching four of them for 56 yards and a TD. He also had one rushing attempt for 5 yards.
Antonio Brown scores his first TD and SITS ON A FAN😳😂 pic.twitter.com/FooiFHWR0P
— NFL Insiders🏈 (@The_Out_Route) September 15, 2019
AB has been a superstar in his career on the field, he's logged at least 100 catches and 1,200 receiving yards in each of the last six seasons.
In his 10-year career, Brown's scored 75 receiving touchdowns ... putting him in a tie for 34th all-time in NFL history.
As for the Raiders, Oakland cut bait with Brown after a string of bizarre behavior including a weird injury in a cryotherapy chamber and issues with his helmet.
Brown also secretly recorded Raiders head coach Jon Gruden and posted the audio online.
The last straw seemed to be when Brown publicly called out Raiders general manager Mike Mayock after the team fined him for missing multiple team activities.
The question now ... will another team take a chance on Antonio Brown -- or is his NFL career finished?
Story developing ...
Originally Published -- 1:14 PM PT