TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization refuted a report by the Tampa Bay Times Thursday that claimed Bucs receiver Antonio Brown submitted a fake COVID vaccination card to the team.

In response to the report, the team released the following statement:

"After an extensive educational process conducted throughout our organization this past offseason highlighting the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines, we received completed vaccination cards from all Tampa Bay Buccaneers players and submitted the required information to the NFL through the established process in accordance with league policy. All vaccination cards were reviewed by Buccaneers personnel and no irregularities were observed."

Spectrum News' partner, the Tampa Bay Times, reported that Brown's former chef, Steven Ruiz, provided text messages indicating Brown was willing to pay $500 to obtain a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccination card. The texts do not refer to Antonio Brown by name but instead refer to "AB," a nickname Brown has with friends.

Ruiz claims he was asked by Brown's girlfriend, Cydney Moreau, to get the vaccination card. Ruiz was unable to get fake vaccination cards, but in July, just days before practice camp started, he claims Brown showed him fake cards he was able to get through someone else. 

Ruiz also reportedly said that personal trainer Alex Guerrero came by Brown's residence and took a picture of the vaccination card for the team's records, and may have believed the card was authentic.

Brown's lawyer responded to the Tampa Bay Times, refuting the story and saying: "Antonio Brown appreciates the severity of the pandemic, which is why he got the vaccine and supports everyone for whom it is advisable to get the vaccine."