New York Giants standing by suspended Josh Brown, despite 'moment'

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants kicker Josh Brown received a one-game suspension from the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

Brown said his suspension was a result of a 2015 incident with an unnamed victim that occurred at a house he shared with his now ex-wife, an incident which he characterized as a "moment."

He was arrested May 22, 2015, in Woodinville, WA, according to a report by NJ Advance Media. Brown said the charges against him were dropped by the DA five days later, though Brown did alert the Giants to the incident when it happened.

Since then, Brown had been preparing for a possible suspension. He said he began the appeal process in June, and exhausted every avenue the NFL has available to players facing a suspension.

He also noted that he has had the support of his teammates and coaches, both current and past.

"My teammates have known since the day it happened," Brown said. "Guys have been very supportive, guys from around the league, ex-coaches, guys who know my character gave been very supportive through this process. This has been a year, and I've had to continue to play with this over my head and I played well and I will continue play well."

Head coach Ben McAdoo, who has spoken out against domestic violence offenders, reiterated that the team stands by Brown and respects the league's decision.

"We treat these situations on a case by case basis," he said when asked if his tolerance for domestic violence offenders changed now that it involved one of his players."

McAdoo also admitted that he wasn't made aware of Brown's issue until several weeks after he was named the new head coach.

"My stance stays the same," he repeated. "I'm a father and husband, and my stance on personal conduct stays the way it is. It stays consistent and stays strong. I think it's important for an organization and locker room to take it on a case-by-case basis."

Brown, who has since finalized his divorce from his wife, said he is going to return to his home in Washington to spend time with his young daughter.

"I'm going to go home and take her to school, and do the things I need to do that I normally don't get the opportunity to do," he said.

"I'll continue to be kicking and working, and I'll be prepared (to return) and nothing will change there."

Tom Obarski, a free agent whom the Giants have had in camp to share some of the workload with the 37-year-old Brown, will handle most of the kicking in this weekend's preseason game against Buffalo.

"He seems steady," McAdoo said of Obarski. "I like the fact that he's going to have an opportunity to make an impact for himself and for this organization on Saturday."

It's also presumed that if Obarski kicks well with his opportunities, he will be kept on the Week 1 roster while Brown serves his suspension.

Brown will be eligible to return to the Giants after their Sept. 11 regular-season opener against Dallas.