Raiders Rumors: Antonio Brown's New Schutt Helmet Failed NFL Safety Testing

Kyle Newport @@KyleNewportFeatured ColumnistAugust 17, 2019

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) puts on his helmet prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Oakland Raiders receiver Antonio Brown's helmet drama continues.

After his grievance to allow him to continue to wear his old helmet was denied earlier this week, Brown found an updated version of the Schutt AiR Advantage. However, according to ProFootballTalk, the seven-time Pro Bowler will not be permitted to wear it after it failed the NFL's safety testing:

ProFootballTalk @ProFootballTalk
Per source . . . . Good news: Antonio Brown found a Schutt AiR Advantage made in 2014. Bad news: The NFL changed its position, requiring the helmet to be tested. Expected news: The helmet failed.

ProFootballTalk @ProFootballTalk
Minor clarification: The helmet that was certified by NOCSAE but then separately tested by the NFL was made in 2010. Brown also found an AiR Advantage helmet made in 2014, which has yet to be tested by the NFL. Brown's representatives now presume that any AiR Advantage will fail.

When ProFootballTalk said the NFL stood for "No F--kin' Loopholes" following the latest ruling, Brown responded (Warning: Link contains NSFW language) by saying: "NFL N---as For Life ! Super Prejudice unbelievable!"

Though ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Aug. 9 that Brown was considering retiring if the NFL did not let him wear the helmet he wore for his first nine seasons in the league, Brown made it clear after his appeal was denied that he was prepared to move forward:

AB @AB84
"While I disagree with the arbitrator's decision, I'm working on getting back to full health and looking forward to rejoining my teammates on the field. I'm excited about this season appreciate all the concerns about my feet 🦶!” #AlwaysAFight #Represent #itsbiggerthanme

That didn't stop him from looking for his helmet of choice, though:

AB @AB84
"I'm looking for a Schutt Air Advantage Adult Large Helmet that was manufactured in 2010 or after. In exchange I will trade a signed practice worn @Raiders helmet."

Brown's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, revealed Tuesday that they had found a desired helmet that had been manufactured in the last 10 years, which appeared to be a stipulation set by the NFL. Per ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio, the helmet in question was manufactured for a movie. It did not get approved by the league.

The 31-year-old wideout has been sidelined for most of training camp and the preseason—but because of injury, not necessarily because of the helmet drama.

Brown is trying to work his way back from extreme frostbite suffered after he failed to wear the proper footwear inside of a cryotherapy machine. Per ESPN's Paul Gutierrez, Raiders coach Jon Gruden expects Brown to be a full participant in practice at some point in the not-so-distant future.