An Arbitrator Ruled Against Antonio Brown’s Grievance To Wear Old Helmet, Brown Must Now Decided Whether On Not To Go Through With Retirement Threat

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After a week of controversy, Antonio Brown now has a decision to make.

Last week, Brown filed a grievance against the NFL so he could wear his old helmet that is now non-compliant to the league’s new helmet rule policy.

Via ESPN

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown has filed a grievance against the NFL to be allowed to wear the helmet he prefers, not one of the helmets that league rules mandate, league sources told ESPN on Friday.

Brown is expected to have a hearing about the helmet as early as next week, and an arbitrator will decide whether he gets to wear the one he wants.

Long-standing NFL rules requiring players to wear certified helmets say he can’t. The helmet that Brown is comfortable in and has worn throughout his career 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 (NOCSAE).

Brown went as far as to threaten retirement if he was not allowed to wear his old helmet.

Today an arbitrator finally ruled on Brown’s helmet grievance and sided with the NFL in the case.

Update: Brown says he disagrees with the arbitrator’s decision but that he’ll be back on the field soon.

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