Brown refusing to give up helmet
OAKLAND, Calif. — An arbitrator heard arguments Friday regarding a grievance filed by Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown against the NFL over Brown’s nonapproved helmet, according to multiple people familiar with the situation.
No immediate ruling was made during Friday’s hearing, according to those people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for that reason.
The NFL declined to comment and Brown’s representatives did not respond to a request for comment.
Brown wants to continue wearing the helmet despite the fact that the model was discontinued by the manufacturer, and it is not certified by the national governing body, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE), because it is more than 10 years old, according to those people familiar with the case.
The league announced in April that the 32 players who ended last season wearing helmet models not approved by the NFL and the NFL Players Association would not have the option to continuing to wear those helmets. The grandfather clause allowing players to wear banned helmet models expired after last season, the league said.
“The prohibited helmets will not be allowed in the locker room,” Jeff Miller, the NFL’s executive vice president of health and safety initiatives, said in April. “A player will not be allowed on the field (wearing a banned helmet).”
Brown is among the league’s most productive wide receivers but was traded from Pittsburgh in the offseason. Brown had become disgruntled in Pittsburgh and requested a trade, apparently due in part to a clash with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Brown has not been practicing lately because of ailing feet, an injury reportedly caused or aggravated when Brown failed to wear proper footwear at cryotherapy treatment. There also have been reports about communication issues between Brown and the Raiders, and now his displeasure with the league’s helmet rules. ESPN reported that Brown told the Raiders he would not play football again unless he’s permitted to wear his preferred helmet.