Tampa, Florida - Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown and two other players are facing serious consequences after the NFL found that they violated the league’s Covid-19 rules and regulations.

Brown (33), along with Bucs backup safety Mike Edwards and free-agent wide receiver John Franklin III, who didn’t make the team roster prior to the season opener in September, were all suspended without pay for three games each on Thursday.

While Brown and Edwards are active players, Franklin will serve his suspension immediately once he joins an NFL team.

Both the NFL and the NFL Players Association, the union representing the players, came together to negotiate the suspensions prior to the consequences being made official.

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Each player fully accepted their suspensions although, through the NFLPA, they are entitled the right to challenge any disciplinary action against them.

The suspensions stemmed from Brown engaging in a deal to acquire a false Covid-19 vaccination card that was used as he entered Tampa’s training camp this past summer.

Originally, he sought out a fake card through Steven Ruiz, his now-former personal chef. After Brown learned Ruiz couldn't get him one, he bought a real vaccination card with false information from a teammate, Ruiz told ESPN.

Brown's attorney, Sean Burstyn, had originally denied that Brown acquired a fake card.

It was also reported that after Brown first arrived at training camp, he realized he could get in trouble over the fake card, which prompted him to go ahead and get vaccinated anyway.

As it turns out, Brown isn’t currently expected to be back on the field for another two weeks anyway while he nurses an ankle injury he sustained in October.

Brown and Edwards are allowed to return to the team for their Week 16 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.