Antonio Brown files yet another grievance in helmet saga
By Jordan Foote
The NFL’s most interesting development continues. Oakland Raiders star wide receiver Antonio Brown appears dead set on wearing his preferred helmet.
The ongoing saga regarding Antonio Brown and his helmet appeared to be nearing a conclusion. Until Monday evening, that is.
The Oakland Raiders, facing an accelerated rebuild and one of the biggest offseasons in recent franchise history, traded for Brown in March. They were hoping the star wideout would leave his distractions in the past. Instead, he’s created another one.
In addition to suffering frostbitten feet as a result of not wearing proper footwear in a cryotherapy machine, NFL Media’s Michael Silver released a Twitter thread explaining a bizarre helmet dispute Brown had with the Raiders:
THREAD: 1) Even before suffering bizarre injuries to his feet, Antonio Brown alarmed Raiders coaches and teammates by railing against the NFL’s enhanced enforcement of helmet regulations, a policy change which will likely force the star receiver to switch to a new model...
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) August 9, 2019
Reports from ESPN‘s Adam Schefter indicated Brown returned to the Raiders’ practice facility on Monday, a positive step for both sides. About eight hours later, Schefter informed the football world that the 31-year-old has filed yet another grievance against the NFL “in an attempt to be able to wear the helmet he wants.” Ian Rapoport of NFL.com confirmed the report:
Source: #Raiders WR Antonio Briwn has filed another grievance against the NFL, arguing that he should be afforded the same right provided to other NFL players to have a 1-year grace period to phase out his helmet in 2019 season. He claims the NFL is arbitrarily applying rules.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 20, 2019
There is no timetable for Brown’s return to normal practice activities amid both the foot injury and the helmet dispute. The tension building inside the Raiders organization has been made public, as general manager Mike Mayock demanded Brown be “all-in or all-out” moving forward.
Brown is a seven-time Pro Bowl player and qualified for a spot on the All-Pro team four times. He’s recorded six consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards, leading the league in one or more receiving categories in four of those years. A welcome addition to the NFL’s reigning 18th-ranked passing attack, his ability to help quarterback Derek Carr shouldn’t be understated.
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That ability won’t come to fruition if Brown fails to stay healthy or wears out his welcome in Oakland. While he awaits the league’s decision regarding his latest complaint with the league, fans will be awaiting his return to the field.