Oakland Raiders superstar wide receiver Antonio Brown said on social media on Monday that he is looking forward to rejoining his teammates after losing a grievance against the NFL over wearing his old helmet.
On Friday, Brown had a two-hour conference call with an independent arbitrator, sources told ESPN, to argue why he should be allowed to wear his 10-year-old helmet. The arbitrator for the grievance call was joined by league officials, player representatives and NFLPA representatives in Philadelphia, a source told ESPN.
Brown, who has been dealing with frostbite on his feet as a result of a cyrotherapy accident, wanted to wear the helmet he prefers, not one of the newer-model helmets that league rules mandate, league sources told ESPN. Brown believes the new certified helmet protrudes out and interferes with his vision as he tries to catch the football.
The helmet that Brown is comfortable in and wore throughout his nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers — believed to be the Schutt Air Advantage helmet, which the company has discontinued making — is no longer certified by the National Operating Committee for Standards and Athletic Equipment.
The NFL has a policy of not allowing players to wear helmets that are not certified by NOCSAE, and the committee’s rule has been that no helmets older than 10 years can be worn.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter contributed to this report.