Sources -- AB absence tied to helmet grievance - ESPN

2:54 PM ET

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  Adam SchefterESPN Senior Author

  End

  • ESPN NFL Insider
  
  
  • Joined ESPN in 2009
  
  
  • Frequent president of the Expert Soccer Writers of The US and the creator of 4 books

Wide receiver Antonio Brown has suggested the Oakland Raiders that except he can effect on his old helmet, he's no longer going to play soccer again, league sources suggested ESPN on Friday.

League sources suggested ESPN that Brown had a two-hour conference name with league officers on Friday in an strive to argue why he must aloof be allowed to effect on his 10-yr-old helmet.

A option would possibly presumably approach as early as next week, sources suggested ESPN.

Brown desires be allowed to effect on the helmet he prefers, no longer in actual fact one of the well-known helmets that league ideas mandate, league sources acknowledged. Brown believes the recent certified helmet protrudes out and interferes with his vision as he tries to buy the soccer.

The Raiders have been sending Brown diversified permitted helmets to effect on but, at the present, he's no longer attracted to carrying any of them.

League sources also suggested ESPN that Brown's recent absence from Raiders practising camp has extra to invent with his helmet than with his toes. He suffered unsuitable frostbite on his toes due to the no longer carrying appropriate footwear when he entered a cryotherapy chamber final month in France, a source suggested ESPN.

The helmet that Brown is ecstatic in and has former right thru his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers -- believed to be the Schutt Air Wait on helmet, which the firm has discontinued making -- isn't any longer certified by the National Operating Committee for Requirements and Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE).

The NFL has a protection of no longer permitting avid gamers to effect on helmets that are no longer certified by NOCSAE. NOCSAE's rule has been that no helmets older than 10 years would possibly presumably even be former.

It's essentially the most smartly-liked complication in what has change into a trendy summer season for Brown, from his head to his toes.

The foot worry has cramped his apply time, and he has no longer been in camp no longer too long within the past as he meets with experts. Other league sources, on the replace hand, suggested ESPN that the helmet subject has been an ongoing strive against for the explanation that originate of practising camp.

The NFL and NFLPA desire avid gamers to effect on helmets designed within the staunch manner to safeguard against capacity head injuries.

The Raiders are "conscious and supportive of Antonio Brown, but [have] no further insist."

During the offseason, the NFL and NFLPA added 11 helmets to their joint checklist of permitted tools for this season whereas inserting off a grace duration for diversified fashions which have fallen speedy in laboratory testing. By the cease of ultimate season, the NFL acknowledged 32 avid gamers have been carrying helmets that now are banned. Brown was one, and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady -- who has openly complained about the rule -- was another.

Though the league and NFLPA have examined helmets since 2015, final yr was the first time they banned particular fashions. This season, the league is imposing the rule and making an strive to accomplish no exceptions, even announcing that any player carrying a banned helmet will likely be subject to self-discipline.

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