Fortunately Antonio Brown hasn’t filed his retirement papers yet. The Raiders’ star receiver threatened to hang up his cleats over a dispute about what helmet he’ll wear this season, but things appear to be deescalating. 
Brown “is expected to rejoin the club at its training camp headquarters in the near future,” a team official told Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Brown has been staying away from the team’s practices the past couple weeks. His absences were originally thought to be due to his frostbitten feet, but it was revealed today it’s actually about the helmet.
Gehlken reports that a ruling from the arbitrator is expected sometime next week on whether or not Brown can wear his current helmet. All equipment must be approved by the National Operating Committee for Standards and Athletic Equipment, and they apparently refuse to test Brown’s model because it is more than ten years old. Brown’s wasn’t among the helmets that were banned this offseason, his just wasn’t even included in the NOCSAE’s study because it was more than a decade old. Since that model wasn’t specifically banned for not being safe, his appeal could have some hope.
Gehklen notes that the team next practices on Monday, and whether or not he’s present will go a long way in determining what kind of story this is going to be moving forward. Of course this is Brown we’re talking about, so while things seem to be heading in the right direction for now, that can change at any moment. We’ll keep you updated as we hear more.
I expect a significant dropoff. Just like Russ Westbrook’s FT% when the NBA said you can’t go past the arc. Routine routine routine. Most athletes are the big headcase and Brown is one of the biggest. So many dumb routine and superstitions held by some players. If you change one thing they crumble like a house of cards.
Devils advocate….but if the dude wants to wear an outdated helmet that might not be as safe….as long as he is briefed on the dangers yet chooses to play with it….I’d say let him play with it. His life.
It’s not much different than motorcyclists that choose to ride without helmets. You know the risks involved, you choose to go without it.
He’ll be the same guy who turns around in ten years and sues the NFL for CTE and will blame them for allowing him to use an unapproved helmet. These rules are in place because the players sued for negligence, claiming the nfl knew about CTE all along, yet did nothing about it. Now they are doing something about it and now players like AB don’t like being told what they can and can’t do. It really makes him look ridiculous—if the foot thing didn’t do so already.
Honestly, I agree. If Brown wants to use an unapproved helmet, then let him. But then he should waive the right to sue the NFL for head related injuries. However, I doubt the NFL would ever do that based on their past with CTE.
To your point, when the NHL mandated helmets, vets prior to the ruling were grandfathered in with the option not to wear one.
This helmet was banned 10 years ago, this was the 10 year grandfather lol
This clown clearly already has CTE. Let him wear whatever helmet he wants. The sooner he gets wrecked and is out of the league the better.
Clown comment
I wonder if Burfict feels responsibility for turning his head to mush
I don’t think it’s really about the feet OR the helmet. I think it’s about money. It always is with AB. Maybe we’ll hear him bragging about being the highest paid WR again soon.
If you’re still on ABs side of the Big Ben and brown saga, you lack judgement of character. That being said, I still love Antonio and really wish he’d just be the great player that he is. He’s destroying his career
Yeah because Big Ben is such a classy dude with a fantastic character. How many women have accused him of acting inappropriately
What has he done recently to say he’s hasn’t changed from his younger self? And let’s remember they’re accusations too. I’m so done of the false narrative of Big Ben being this big jerk. Was he in his younger days? Yes. He’ll admit it himself. But especially since he’s been married, he’s no where near how he used to be.
And you know him so well smh what an idiot
Good logic
If you stand behind either of them, you lack judgement of character lol
Well, they also expected him to be in camp the past 2 weeks, so I’ll believe it when I see it lol.
Well he was trying to get to camp but the hot air balloon took a wrong turn.
This guy is flat out stupid. Nothing else you can say. He has just solidified with any of the leftover peeps that were in question that he’s a dumbazz. I hope someone knocks his ignorant azz into next year. I am so sick of his needy azz … he is grossly overrated anyway. Without Ben he’s Sammy Watkins at best.
If the helmet wasn’t tested and found unsafe then Brown should be able to wear it. Gretzky wore an unapproved helmet in the NHL for several seasons didn’t he?
Hockey doesn’t have the head to head contact football does. But I suspect they’ll find a way to approve his helmet because of his status; it wasn’t approved because it just wasn’t submitted, it might be tested safe on appeal.
Insert dumpster on fire gif
Is it the helmet or is it the drama he desires
Who is running the league? They need to take a stand against these spoiled brats.
Drama Queen.
The guy I’m embarrassed for is LeBron James. He bought Big Chest’s BS hook, line and sinker.