Antonio Brown Files Another Grievance Against NFL Over Helmet

Pro Football Talk is reporting that Raiders WR Antonio Brown has filed a new grievance against the NFL in an attempt to be able to wear his old helmet.

According to Ian Rapoport, Brown’s latest grievance against the NFL argues that he should be afforded the same right provided to other NFL players to have a one-year grace period before his helmet is phased out. He claims the NFL is arbitrarily applying rules.

Rapoport adds that the expectation is that this new grievance will be heard by an arbitrator on an expedited basis.

Brown rejoined the Raiders on Monday following the recent comments from GM Mike Mayock that it was time for Brown to be “all-in or all-out.”

Brown lost his original grievance against the NFL, although the league did say he could still use his preferred Schutt AiR Advantage helmet if he can locate one that fits him and is less than 10 years old. 

Tom Peliserro reports that the NFL and NFLPA worked hand in hand on Brown’s helmet issue. On Monday night, the two parties jointly said the helmet Brown located would be tested at the same lab in Ottawa as other helmets. Unfortunately for Brown, it failed and the NFL and NFLPA engineers agreed that it may not be worn.

Beyond that, Pelissero says Brown has exhausted his CBA appeal options and the only move he would have left is to sue and try to get an injunction.

Brown, 31, is a former sixth-round pick of the Steelers back in 2010. He was in the third year of his five-year, $72.71 million contract when the Steelers traded him to the Raiders back in March. 

The Raiders later signed Brown to a new contract worth $50.125 million and includes $30.125 million guaranteed.  

In 2018, Brown appeared in 15 games for the Steelers and caught 104 passes for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 26 receiver out of 117 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding Brown as the news is available.