Raiders Rumors: Jon Gruden Approved Use of Antonio Brown Phone Call in Video

Antonio Brown reportedly received permission from Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden to use a recorded phone conversation between the two men in a YouTube video. 

On Monday, the producer of the video appeared on the Dan Le Batard Show and said Gruden gave his blessing:

Brown released the video amidst his drama-filled summer with the Raiders, as he was feuding with the team over fines and its decision to void the guarantees in his contract.

The fact Gruden gave permission for Brown to use the phone conversation and include it on the video is important. Brown recording Gruden at all without his knowledge or consent technically violated California's two-party consent laws and made the recording illegal, and had he then posted it online without Gruden's consent, he could have faced legal repercussions. 

Not that things worked out between Brown and the Raiders. The two sides parted ways over the weekend after Brown demanded a release and the Raiders granted him one. He then signed with the New England Patriots, ending the summer's longest and most exhausting saga. 

Of course, the question now becomes whether Brown's antics will fly in New England, a no-nonsense organization that has prided itself on eliminating distractions and focusing solely on football during the reign of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.

As they proved Sunday night in a 33-3 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, however, the Patriots don't need Brown. If he's any sort of distraction in New England, it's unlikely he'll be with the team for long. 

If he sticks, it could have devastating results for the rest of the NFL. Pairing a future Hall of Fame receiver with the best quarterback and player in NFL history should be a recipe for success. And while Brown ultimately forced his way out of Pittsburgh amidst a rocky relationship with Ben Roethlisberger, he was still consistently the best receiver in football during his time with the Steelers. 

But one thing is for certain—if Brown ever attempts to make a YouTube video about a phone conversation he had with Belichick, you can put your money on him being cut faster than you could say "distraction."