Report: Antonio Brown Gives Raiders 'Emotional Apology' After Mayock Incident

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown reportedly issued an "emotional apology" during a team meeting Friday following his blowup with general manager Mike Mayock.

ESPN's Josina Anderson reported Raiders team captains are "standing with [Brown]" following the apology. The Pro Bowler's future with the Raiders appeared to be in doubt Thursday after he got into an altercation with Mayock after being fined for missing two team activities over frustration with the NFL banning his preferred helmet.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday that the Raiders planned to suspend Brown, thus voiding the more than $30 million guaranteed on his contract. It was considered possible, if not likely, that he would never play a down with the team.

Brown's apology appears to have turned the situation completely around. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported it's possible that Brown is in uniform with the Raiders for Week 1 and does not serve any type of suspension. Coach Jon Gruden had prepared the team as if Brown would not play for at least one game, and agent Drew Rosenhaus told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio he expected his client to sit out.

Rosenhaus did, however, provide hope for a reconciliation during an appearance on ESPN's Get Up! earlier Friday.

"There isn't an issue as far as I'm concerned, outside of what happened a couple days ago at practice," Rosenhaus said. "Antonio is looking forward to putting all of this stuff behind him. He wants to play football. He wants to have a good relationship with the team. That's why he signed with them. That's why he was traded there. Obviously, there's been a lot of speculation about the foot injury, the helmet. His feet are healthy. He's got a new helmet." 

If Brown is not suspended for Week 1, his $14.6 million salary will be guaranteed. If he is suspended for conduct, it would void the entirety of the guaranteed money on his contract. It's possible the Raiders choose to suspend Brown for one game to give themselves a failsafe against future incidents. However, Brown's outburst made it very clear he wouldn't take kindly to that type of scenario, and a suspension could be a point of no return.

Rosenhaus has categorized Brown's relationship with coach Jon Gruden as "good," so this could come down to a power struggle between the receiver and general manager.