Patriots release Antonio Brown after just 1 game

New England Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown smiles before the start of game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 15 2019 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Patriots announced Friday that the team is releasing Brown. less New England Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown smiles before the start of game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 15 2019 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Patriots announced Friday ... more Photo: David Santiago, TNS Photo: David Santiago, TNS Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close Patriots release Antonio Brown after just 1 game 1 / 7 Back to Gallery

The New England Patriots have released former Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders receiver Antonio Brown after just one game, the team announced Friday.

"The New England Patriots are releasing Antonio Brown," the team wrote in a statement. "We appreciate the hard work of many people over the past 11 days, but we feel that it is best to move in a different direction at this time."

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported Friday afternoon Brown's time in New England had come to a close, and the receiver himself took to Twitter to thank the Patriots.

"Thank you for the opportunity @Patriots #GoWinIt," he tweeted minutes before Schefter's tweet.

He later tweeted pictures of himself in action last week against the Miami Dolphins, and shared the quote, "Sometimes people try to destroy you precisely because they recognize your power; not because they don't want to see it, but because they see it and don't want it to exist."

Brown is facing a civil lawsuit from former trainer Britney Taylor, who alleged that Brown sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions. A second woman has also come forward and accused Brown of sexual assault.

Recommended Video:

The second woman told Sports Illustrated on Thursday that Brown had sent her threatening text messages after she came forward with her story. The text messages included photos of the women's children, and she and her lawyer asked the NFL to investigate.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said she was painting a mural at Brown's house when he approached her while naked with a towel over his genitals.

Brown's Patriots contract was for one-year and $15 million, with a $9 million signing bonus. He was released by the Raiders two days before the team's season opener against the Denver Broncos.

The receiver formally asked for his release from Oakland after he was fined for a practice altercation with general manager Mike Mayock.

You can check out a full timeline of Brown's Raiders tenure here.

This story is developing and will be updated as more information is made available.

Eric Ting is an SFGATE staff writer. Email: eric.ting@sfgate.com | Twitter:@_ericting