Apparently, when you’re good enough at football, you can get away with almost anything. A day after it was revealed that the Oakland Raiders would suspend wide receiver Antonio Brown for threatening to give general manager Mike Mayock’s teeth a rake, the team has backtracked.
According to head coach Jon Gruden, Brown is going to play Monday night when the team faces off against the Denver Broncos.
“Antonio is back today, Gruden told reporters according to NFL.com. “We’re really excited about that. We’re ready to move on. He’s had a lot of, obviously, time to think about things. We’re happy to have him back. I know Raiders nation is excited about that too. …(on Brown playing Monday night) That’s the plan. That’s the plan. Yes.”
"We're happy to have him back."
Coach Gruden briefly addressed Antonio Brown's status on Friday. pic.twitter.com/RHtEuIGSnM
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 6, 2019
If the Raiders had suspended Brown, not only would they have been off the hook with all the guaranteed money in his contract, they had yet to pay him his signing bonuses, set up as work out bonuses in his deal. Oakland could have suspended Brown, then cut him and had not a single dollar of his contract count against the salary cap.
But he was just too good to let go, so Gruden, the Raiders and potentially Mayock’s jaw are willing to put up with the circus to get their star wideout on the field.
Brown, after Friday’s practice, was contrite about his actions and apologized, but not to Mayock specifically, who was on the receiving end of A.B.’s pugilistic threat.
“I’m excited to be out here today,” Brown said, reading from a statement. “I apologized to my teammates and the organization. Enough talk, man. I’m excited to be out here with my teammates. I’m grateful for all the fans. I’m excited to be a part of the Raiders and see you guys soon.”
“I want to apologize to my teammates (and) the organization. Enough talk, man. I’m excited to be out here with my teammates…”
Antonio Brown with a brief statement (via @VicTafur) pic.twitter.com/MkRhtp9oAY
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) September 6, 2019
By suiting up and stepping on the field Monday night, Brown will receive the full guaranteed amount left on his contract. The Raiders are stuck with him now.
