Oakland Raiders WR Antonio Brown files new helmet grievance with NFL

By Reuters

Tuesday 20 August 2019 13:44, UK

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown has filed a new grievance with the NFL in order to be able to wear the helmet of his choosing, according to multiple reports.

Brown has had only one full-speed practice this preseason, in part because he was recovering from foot blisters caused by a cryotherapy mishap and lately because of his helmet issue.

He attended Raiders team meetings on Monday, one day after Raiders general manager Mike Mayock said it was time for the All-Pro wide receiver "to be all in or all out."

Brown already has lost one grievance against the NFL to wear the helmet he has used his entire career.

The new grievance reportedly centers on Brown maintaining he should be allowed the NFL's standard one-year grace period to wear the helmet of his choosing after it was found to be unsafe.

Brown's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN's "Get Up!" on Monday that his client "wants to be part of the team, he wants to practice, but he'd also like to do it with the helmet he's worn his entire life."

"He's a wide receiver. He gets hit across the middle. People are trying to take his head off," Rosenhaus said.

"He's a big target. You talk about how many catches he's had over the last six years, for example, this is his life. He's risking everything. He's got a family. He's had a concussion before. This helmet has kept him safe. He's had brutal hits.

"We're just trying to find a way to work it out. We've worked very closely with the Raiders, we've worked very closely with the NFL, but I hope people can appreciate, this is not a simple issue. The helmet is the most important piece of equipment, and he's had the same one every single snap he's played in his football career. This is a major issue for him."

The Raiders acquired the seven-time Pro Bowl selection from the Pittsburgh Steelers in a trade in March and later signed him to a three-year, $50,125,000 contract.

Brown, 31, caught at least 100 passes and exceeded 1,200 receiving yards in each of the past six seasons with the Steelers. He has appeared in 130 games with Pittsburgh from 2010-18, catching 837 passes for 11,207 yards and 74 touchdowns.