Here we go again.
Antonio Brown filed a second grievance against the NFL in an attempt to wear a helmet deemed unsafe by a league-commissioned equipment committee, according to several reports Monday.
The 31-year-old and seven-time Pro Bowler at first sought permission to wear the Schutt Air Advantage helmet he’s worn his entire career; however, the National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association (NAERA) — which recertifies helmets through standards set forth by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment — won’t approve helmets that are more than 10 years old.
Brown has said different helmet models intrude his vision.
An independent arbitrator last week ruled in favor of the NFL, so the Raiders wide receiver found newer helmets of the same model, but those models also failed NAERA tests for other reasons. Shortly thereafter, the league placed the Schutt Air Advantage on its list of unapproved helmets, according to NBC Sports.
Brown reportedly is set to argue the NFL isn’t allowing him the one-year grace period afforded to other players, like Tom Brady, who had their helmets banned before last season but were still able to play with them.
Brown returned to the Raiders practice facility Monday after skipping practice due to his helmet frustrations, which prompted GM Mike Mayock to issue the team’s superstar an ultimatum.
“It’s time for him to be all-in or all-out,” Mayock told reporters.