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Antonio Brown releases lengthy statement, tells his side of story days after leaving Tampa Bay Buccaneers game

TAMPA, Fla. -- Speaking for the first time since abruptly leaving during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' game against the New York Jets on Sunday, Antonio Brown said he was forced to play on an injured ankle that will require surgery.

An MRI on Monday revealed broken bone fragments, a ligament torn from the bone and cartilage loss, the receiver said in a lengthy statement released Wednesday night.

Brown also accusing the Buccaneers of mischaracterizing his outburst on the field as a "mental health issue," rather than a refusal to play due to pain.