Brandon Browner: "I Am A New England Patriot"
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Brandon Browner mystery has finally been solved.
Friday night, Browner tweeted a statement confirming that he has signed with the Patriots.
Browner's full statement:
"Today, I am proud to announce that I am a New England Patriot. I am honored that the Patriots are making me part of their legendary organization, and am grateful for the opportunity Mr. Kraft, Coach Belichick, Nick Caserio and the entire team have given me. I intend to diligently work with the same passion and dedication that I have displayed since coming into the NFL to uphold the great traditions and qualities that are embodied by the Patriots. I would be remiss if I didn't thank the Seattle Seahawks for giving a CFL player the once in-a-lifetime opportunity to return to the NFL, making a young boy's dream come true. To Coach Pete Carroll, GM John Schneider, John Idzik, Coach Richard, Rocky Seto, the LOB, my teammates, the training staff, the equipment guys the Seahawks organization as a whole and most importantly the 12th Man, I say thank you for everything you have done for myself and my family. I am a truly blessed person."
Browner, 29, will have to serve a four-game suspension to start the season due to violating the league's substance-abuse policy, though he will be able to participate in all offseason workouts and in training camp.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the deal is for three years and $17 million.
The news brings to an end a rather confusing sequence of events. On Thursday night, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Browner had agreed on a two-year deal with the Patriots, though that report was refuted minutes later by the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe and ESPN's Adam Schefter. Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman sent a tweet of congratulations to Browner as well, furthering the confusion.
Browner's agent, Peter Schaffer, tried to clear up the mess, telling Pro Football Talk that no agreement had been reached and that he was busy trying to play a hockey game.
Schaffer lost that hockey game, but he was able to get back to work on Friday. Conflicting reports again spread about Browner's free-agent visit to Washington. The visit was reportedly canceled before it was reported to be back on again.
At 6-foot-4, 221 pounds, Browner spent four seasons in the Canadian Football League before joining the Seahawks in 2011. He made the Pro Bowl that year, and he's made 10 interceptions and 117 tackles in his three seasons (36 games).
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