Sources: AB says no soccer with out previous helmet
Vast receiver Antonio Brown has advised the Oakland Raiders he won’t play soccer once more except he can put on his previous helmet, league sources advised ESPN on Friday.
Brown had a two-hour convention name with an impartial arbitrator on Friday, sources mentioned, to argue why he must be allowed to put on his 10-year-old helmet. He’s thought to have been utilizing the identical helmet his entire profession.
The arbitrator for the grievance name was joined by league officers, participant representatives and NFLPA representatives in Philadelphia, a supply advised ESPN. A choice may come as early as subsequent week, sources mentioned.
Brown needs to put on the helmet he prefers, not one of many newer-model helmets that league guidelines mandate, league sources mentioned. Brown believes the brand new licensed helmet protrudes out and interferes together with his imaginative and prescient as he tries to catch the soccer.
The Raiders have been sending Brown different permitted helmets to put on, however presently, he isn’t thinking about carrying any of them.
Brown appeared to discuss with an inner debate about strolling away from soccer by posting Friday an Instagram caption paraphrasing the 2002 film “Paid In Full.”
League sources additionally advised ESPN that Brown’s current absence from Raiders coaching camp has extra to do together with his helmet than together with his toes. He suffered excessive frostbite on his toes because of not carrying applicable footwear when he entered a cryotherapy chamber final month in France, a supply advised ESPN.
The helmet that Brown is snug in and wore all through his 9 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers — believed to be the Schutt Air Benefit helmet, which the corporate has discontinued making — is now not licensed by the Nationwide Working Committee for Requirements and Athletic Gear.
The NFL has a coverage of not permitting gamers to put on helmets that aren’t licensed by NOCSAE, and the committee’s rule has been that no helmets older than 10 years could be worn.
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Tony Kornheiser and Frank Isola share their opinions on Antonio Brown refusing to play soccer for the Raiders with out his previous helmet.
It is the most recent complication in what has change into an advanced summer time for Brown, from his head to his toes.
The foot damage has restricted his observe time, and he has not been in camp just lately as he meets with specialists. Different league sources, nonetheless, advised ESPN that the helmet concern has been an ongoing battle for the reason that begin of coaching camp.
The NFL and NFL Gamers Affiliation need gamers to put on helmets designed in the best method to safeguard in opposition to potential head accidents.
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The Raiders are “conscious and supportive of Antonio Brown however [have] no additional remark.”
Throughout the offseason, the NFL and NFLPA added 11 helmets to their joint record of permitted gear for this season whereas eliminating a grace interval for different fashions which have fallen quick in laboratory testing. By the top of final season, the NFL mentioned 32 gamers have been carrying helmets that now are banned. Brown was one, and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady — who has overtly complained in regards to the rule — was one other.
Although the league and NFLPA have examined helmets since 2015, final yr marked the primary time they banned sure fashions. This season, the league is implementing the rule and attempting to make no exceptions, even saying that any participant carrying a banned helmet shall be topic to self-discipline.