Antonio Brown threatens retirement over new NFL helmet restrictions

Anyone who thought Antonio Brown was done with drama after leaving Pittsburgh was sorely mistaken. The ex-Steeler and current Oakland Raiders receiver is now threatening to retire if he isn’t allowed to wear a specific type of helmet this season, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Earlier Friday, Brown filed a “helmet grievance” against the NFL. An NFL rules change has barred the type of helmet Brown’s been wearing his whole career and is most comfortable in, according to Schefter’s ESPN story. The issue appears to be that his preferred helmet is no longer certified by the National Operating Committee for Standards and Athletic Equipment, according to Schefter. NFL rules mandate all helmets worn by its players must be certified by the NOCSAE.

A report earlier this week claimed that Brown had already gone “radio silent” with the Raiders, who also are apparently in the dark about how his frostbitten foot is healing. Brown reportedly contracted frostbite due to not wearing the proper footwear while inside a cryogenic chamber. Brown currently has an injury that once sidelined Olympic sprinter Justin Gatlin for months.

In the middle of all this chaos, Brown went on Instagram on Friday and posted a video of other NFL players like Packers receiver Davante Adams and Chargers receiver Keenan Allen talking about how awesome he is. Earlier in March, Brown said in an interview that “I don’t even have to play football if I don’t want. I don’t even need the game.”

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/08/09/Antonio-Brown-threatens-retirement-helmet-NFL-restrictions-Raiders-Steelers-feet/stories/201908090115