Supply: AB initiated discuss that led to Mayock spat
Josina AndersonESPN
Oakland Raiders extensive receiver Antonio Brown initiated the dialogue with normal supervisor Mike Mayock halfway by means of follow on Wednesday, ensuing within the confrontation the place disparaging language was utilized by Brown and sparked the workforce’s present deadlock with the participant, based on a workforce supply.
A Raiders supply confirmed Brown was sad with the positive levied by the workforce and, seeing Mayock watching follow, walked over and initiated an trade with the GM. The Raiders supply confirmed data from one other league supply who mentioned Brown referred to as Mayock a “cracker” and unleashed a barrage of “cuss phrases” in the course of the altercation.
The workforce supply mentioned Mayock tried to maintain his cool and defuse the scenario.
“[Mayock] was like, ‘I am cool, I perceive your displeasure,'” the supply mentioned. “[Mayock] type of identical to … simply walked away as a result of he noticed it escalate.”
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The supply confused the confrontation escalated shortly, nevertheless it by no means gave the impression to be getting bodily, and gamers, together with linebacker Vontaze Burfict, tried to separate Brown from the scenario to be able to calm him down.
That led to the workforce planning to droop Brown, based on ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The supply mentioned it appeared Brown had learn the positive letter — which he posted on Instagram — earlier than follow and was indignant to start with.
“When he noticed [Mayock], he was like ‘I can handle it,'” the workforce supply mentioned.
The Raiders supply mentioned of Brown: “No one works as onerous. No one loves the sport as a lot, however [it] looks as if there’s something that’s distracting him from his love that [he] cannot management.”
Mayock informed reporters that Brown was not on the facility Thursday and wouldn’t be practising. He didn’t verify or deny that Brown might be suspended.
Coach Jon Gruden additionally would not disclose any specifics, saying after follow Thursday that the Raiders would “have an official announcement later” and was requested if he noticed the alleged incident between Brown and Mayock.
“Like I mentioned, I am not going to get into all of this,” Gruden mentioned. “Clearly, he wasn’t right here right this moment, and when we’ve some data for you, we’ll give it to you. … I have been speaking about the identical man daily.
“… I am emotional about it, I hope you perceive why. I feel a whole lot of this man. I feel Antonio is a good receiver, and deep down I feel he is a extremely good man. So, I am pissed off, I am not going to say something extra about it, hope all of it works out. However I haven’t got something official to say about anything till I get all of the info, and that is what I’ll do.”
Brown was listed as a non-participant for Thursday’s follow.
Brown’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, informed ESPN’s Get Up! that he continues to hope there’s a resolution to the scenario.
“Proper now I feel his relationship with Coach Gruden is sweet, superb,” Rosenhaus mentioned Friday. “I am not going to get into his relationship with Mike Mayock, however I’ll say that we’re hopeful that that might be one, as properly. It has been previously; it may be sooner or later.”
Rosenhaus added: “Hear, the NFL is a office. And in office environments, not every little thing is ideal. Antonio is a brand new participant on this soccer workforce and we’re making an attempt to make it an excellent relationship throughout the board. However what is quite common in a brand new relationship is you attempt to get issues in place. And it takes time.”
Thursday night time, Rosenhaus informed ESPN’s Rob Demovsky at Chicago’s Soldier Subject that he has been in touch with Raiders officers and that his shopper needs to play within the season opener Monday night time.
“That is as much as the Raiders,” Rosenhaus mentioned. “If it is as much as us, he wish to play. However, finally, that is going to be their choice. He wish to honor his contract and fulfill his dedication to the Raiders. That is what we’re making an attempt to hammer out with the workforce proper now.”
Within the letter, Mayock knowledgeable Brown that he was being fined $13,950 for lacking a walk-through on Aug. 22, an unexcused absence. The letter additionally mentions the workforce beforehand had fined Brown $40,000 for lacking camp on Aug. 18 — the day the GM issued his ultimatum to Brown, saying, “It is time for him to be all-in or all-out, OK?”
ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez contributed to this report.