Antonio Brown Trains for First Time With Patriots

New England Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown trained with the team for the first time on Wednesday, September 11, a day after his former trainer filed a civil lawsuit in Florida accusing him of sexually assaulting her on three occasions.

Brown, 31, who signed with the Patriots on Saturday, donned the No 1 jersey for his debut practice at the NFL team’s Foxborough, Massachusetts, training field.

Brown had worn No 84 during his eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but that number was being used by Patriots tight end Ben Watson.

The lawsuit alleges that Brown sexually assaulted a woman named Britney Taylor, a gymnast he met when both were attending Central Michigan University and whom he later hired as a trainer.

“Mr. Brown denies each and every allegation in the lawsuit,” said a statement from Darren Heitner, a lawyer representing Brown.

“He will pursue all legal remedies to not only clear his name but to also protect other professional athletes against false accusations," Heitner’s statement said.

On Saturday, September 7, Brown was released from a lucrative contract with the Oakland Raiders after a preseason that included a suspension and fine resulting from a clash with general manager Mike Mayock. He’d only joined the Silver and Black in March, via a trade with the Steelers. Credit: Sierra Goodwill via Storyful