It was the craziest and most sensational story of the NFL offseason, except it didn’t really happen. At least, that’s what the man at the center of the supposed story says.
Last week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Oakland’s Antonio Brown would never play football again if he was required to wear the league-mandated helmet. Instead, Brown wanted to continue to play in the same model helmet he had been wearing.
However, on Thursday night, after the Raiders 33-26 defeat of the Arizona Cardinals, Brown told reporters that story was completely false.
“I’m like, ‘Where did you get that from?’ ” Brown told reporters. “I never said that. … Who made that up? Why would I retire? I’ve got a beautiful career. I’m healthy. I love to play the game. Obviously, I inspire people with the way I play the game. I’m grateful to play, and I’m excited to put on this uniform.”
That proclamation flies in the face of Brown’s #paidinfull Instagram post from last week, where he appeared to say he had enough money to walk away from the game. Though, after the NFL reminded Brown that he would forego the entirety of the more than $30 million he’s owed over the next two years if he quit over his helmet, perhaps he had a change of heart?
“Brown has reached a compromise with the NFL allowing him to use the helmet model he likes (the Schutt AiR Advantage) if he can find one made within the past 10 years. He sent out a cry for help on Twitter and seems to have a handful of options with the regular season approaching,” Sporting News reports.
“I’m still trying helmets right now,” Brown said on Thursday. “As long as they’re league-certified, those are the helmets I’m trying out, and I’m trying out what I have. A lot of great fans sent in a lot of great helmets.
“I’m still working with the NFL to make sure everything’s legal. I’m just excited to move forward and be here with my teammates and achieve our shared goals and get everything we deserve.”
Brown did not play in Oakland’s victory over Arizona on Thursday night, but looked very impressive in pregame warm-ups.
Follow Dylan Gwinn on Twitter @themightygwinn
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