On Monday, an arbitrator ruled against Antonio Brown’s grievance, meaning the talented wide receiver will not be able to keep wearing the same helmet he has for more than a decade.
Brown, who has been away from the Oakland Raiders for more than a week dealing with his frostbitten feet and issues related to not being able to wear his helmet of choice, will reportedly return to his team today. He confirmed as much in a tweet.
"While I disagree with the arbitrator's decision, I'm working on getting back to full health and looking forward to rejoining my teammates on the field. I'm excited about this season appreciate all the concerns about my feet 🦶!” #AlwaysAFight #Represent #itsbiggerthanme
— AB (@AB84) August 12, 2019
Interestingly, though Brown lost his grievance, he still might be able to wear his preferred helmet … if he can get his mitts on one.
Via ProFootballTalk.com: “Brown can’t use his preferred helmet — a Schutt AiR Advantage — in 2019, because that specific helmet is more than 10 years old. However, because the NFL has not affirmatively banned from use the Schutt AiR Advantage, Brown apparently could use one that is less than 10 years old, if he can find one. A PFT reader communicated directly with the NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) on this subject, and Executive Director/General Counsel Michael Oliver has confirmed to PFT via email that, indeed, the NOCSAE continues to recertify Schutt AiR Advantage helmets that are less than 10 years old.”
Unfortunately for Brown, the Schutt AiR Advantage was discontinued in 2011 so he will need to find one that manufactured between 2009 and 2011 that’s also in his specific size.
Apparently now aware of this potential loophole, Brown is already crowdsourcing:
"I'm looking for a Schutt Air Advantage Adult Large Helmet that was manufactured in 2010 or after. In exchange I will trade a signed practice worn @Raiders helmet."
— AB (@AB84) August 13, 2019
It will be interesting to see if the HBO’s producers take it easy on Brown and the Raiders on tonight’s episode of Hard Knocks.
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