Brown returns to Raiders after helmet fiasco
Antonio Brown walked onto the Oakland Raiders practice field in his familiar No. 84 jersey surrounded by cameras and received warm greetings from teammates.
His weeklong absence to deal with his frostbitten feet and a grievance with the NFL over the use of a helmet has ended and now he’s eager to get back on the field as soon as he can.
“I’m extremely grateful to be here,” Brown said during a short news conference Tuesday. “I’ve been dealing with a lot of adversity. I’m excited to be back and see my teammates and get in the groove of things.”
Brown has not participated in a full practice for the Raiders after starting training camp on the non-football injury list with injuries to his feet that reportedly came from frostbite suffered while getting cryotherapy treatment in France. Agent Drew Rosenhaus called the injuries on Brown’s feet “brutal” and Brown left camp last week to meet with a specialist.
Brown gave no timeline for when he would be healthy enough to practice, saying only to “stay tuned.”
Coach Jon Gruden said he didn’t know whether Brown would play in an exhibition game but was confident he’d be healthy enough for the season opener Sept. 9 against Denver.
“I feel a lot better working toward 100%,” Brown said. “It’s been a process with the feet. Any time you have a lot of blisters, it’s hard to change direction and run and do what I do naturally. I’ve been away getting a lot of work. I’m excited just to move forward.”
Brown also has been battling with the NFL over his helmet, losing a grievance on Monday to use a version of his helmet that is no longer certified for practice or play.
The National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment sets performance and test standards for equipment. Brown’s Schutt Air Advantage helmet is no longer allowed because the NFL follows the National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association (NAERA) rule that helmets 10 years old or older cannot be recertified.
The NFL and Jayz’s entertainment and sports representation company are teaming up for events and social activism.
The league will use Jay-z’s Roc Nation to consult on its entertainment presentations, including the Super Bowl halftime show, but will work with the rapper and entrepreneur’s company to “strengthen community through music and the NFL’S Inspire Change initiative.”
NFL owners agreed to contribute up to $89 million over six years toward causes players were supporting.
New York Giants wide receiver Golden Tate has had the appeal of his fourgame suspension for a violation of the NFL’S policy on performance enhancers turned down.
The decision by an independent arbiter was announced Tuesday and means the 10-year-veteran will miss the first four games of the regular season, starting with Dallas on Sept. 8.
Tate signed a $37.5 million contract as a free agent with the Giants in March.