It’s getting clearer all the time why the Pittsburgh Steelers were happy to load Antonio Brown into a trebouchet and fire him into the sun. The current Oakland Raiders wide receiver, arguably one of the top five in all of football, has more issues with playing this season beyond his frostbitten feet.
Friday, reports emerged that Brown is threatening to not play at all unless the NFL will clear the use of his old helmet, now banned by the league’s new safety rules.
And now this: Raiders’ WR Antonio Brown has told team officials that, unless he gets to wear his old helmet, he will not play football again, per league sources.
And more….
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 9, 2019
The helmet in question, reportedly a Schutt Air Advantage, is so precious to Brown he’s apparently tried to sneak it back out onto the practice field after painting it himself, only to have it taken away from him when it’s noticed.
An anonymous Raider player told NFL.com, “He (Brown) is still freaking out about it. He hasn’t been here for a while and no one knows where he’s at.”
EXCLUSIVE: Raiders text @AB84 options of helmets pic.twitter.com/LlstCnwSUM
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) August 9, 2019
Brown has been far from a model citizen in Oakland, causing a sigh of relief all through Steel city fandom who may have felt they surrendered the All-Universe wideout for too little a return; third and fifth-round picks. A.B. has been late to meetings, been seen using his smart phone and tablets during those same meetings and “liking” posts on Instagram when he’s supposed to be doing football related activities.
But, he’s a superstar and they get treated differently. Another source, this one probably not a player, told NFL.com, “The meeting stuff isn’t that bad… But the feet, helmet and going dark is an issue.”
Antonio Brown believes the new helmet that the rules mandate he wears protrudes out and interferes with his vision as he tries to catch football. The Raiders have been sending Brown other approved helmets to try out but, at this time, he is not interested in wearing any of them.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 9, 2019
In regards to the helmet, at least, Brown’s favorite lid is not NOCSAE certified and can’t be recertified since it’s more than a decade old. If a team lets a player wear a banned helmet, they can face discipline from the NFL. A.B. filed a grievance with the league in an attempt to keep his old helmet and it will be heard in front of a neutral arbitrator.
NFL.com quoted another player or coach (they weren’t clear) on the whole ridiculous helmet thing, “Honestly, (it’s) the most insane thing I have ever heard. I don’t know why it’s so important to him. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Trainer: Antonio you can’t wear that helmet.
Antonio Brown: pic.twitter.com/DVEu83tjO3
— Steve Braband (@stevebraband) August 9, 2019
And 2,500 miles miles away Mike Tomlin reads that quote and just laughs to himself.
