NFL Will Allow Antonio Brown To Use His Preferred Helmet If He Can Find A Newer One

Update:

Antonio Brown announced via his Twitter account on Tuesday that he’s looking for Schutt AiR Advantage that’s less than 10 years old in case you happen to have one laying around. 

"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

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk spoke with a source close to the situation who mentioned that the Raiders and the representatives for Antonio Brown with the NFL about his helmet situation.

According to Florio, the NFL has approved Brown wearing his preferred Schutt AiR Advantage helmet if he can locate one that fits him and is less than 10 years old.

Schutt stopped making the AiR Advantage in 2011, which means there are still some in circulation that are eight or nine years old. If he can find one, the NFL will allow him to use it for the 2019 season.

As of now, Brown and his representatives haven’t found one of these helmets, according to Florio.

Antonio Brown posted on Twitter that he’s “looking forward to rejoining [his] teammates” and getting back to full health. 

https://twitter.com/AB84/status/1161016736013004803

Mike Jones of USA Today reports that the arbitrator has ruled against Raiders WR Antonio Brown in his grievance to wear the old helmet.

Brown has been trying to get clearance to wear his old helmet and Adam Schefter reported last week that Brown had told team officials that, unless he gets to wear his old helmet, he will not play football again.

According to Schefter, Brown’s issue with new helmets is that they protrude out and interferes with his vision as he tries to catch the football. Schutt has discontinued making this helmet and is no longer certified by the National Operating Committee for Standards and Athletic Equipment.

The Raiders were reportedly sending Brown other approved helmets to try out but he has not found one he’s interested in wearing.

The Raiders said they are “aware and supportive of Antonio Brown, but [have] no further comment.”

Pro Football Talk reports that the model of helmet Brown uses isn’t banned, but the NFL won’t allow a player to use a helmet that’s 10 years old. 

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.