NFL Arbitrator Reportedly Rules Against Raiders WR Antonio Brown in Infamous Helmet Case

It looks like Antonio Brown could be headed for an early retirement.

The senseless helmet fiasco is over. AB cannot wear his beloved old helmet that has been outlawed by the NFL after an arbitrator ruled against the Oakland Raiders wide receiver on Monday, according to reports.

According to to two sources, the arbitrator has ruled against Antonio Brown in his grievance to wear the old helmet.
— Mike Jones (@ByMikeJones) August 12, 2019

This ruling comes shortly after an NFL spokesperson said Monday that players can't practice or play in games with equipment that's not approved by the league. Brown's helmet model is over 10 years old, and such equipment is not certified by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOSCAE).

One would think this is fairly simple, but this is Brown we're dealing with here. Apparently he thinks he's the only one who has to suffer from the latest standards.

Tom Brady would prefer not to change helmets, but unlike Antonio Brown, Brady knows it's a rule and says he'll live with it https://t.co/gM8pMrHSQp
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 12, 2019

The bottom line is that whatever the league is doing on the equipment front, it's most likely to improve the safety for players, given all the backlash that's come in recent years, especially on the concussion front.

#Raiders WR Antonio Brown’s grievance over his helmet was denied by an arbitrator, source said (as @ByMikeJones reported). After months of fighting it, he’ll have to wear an approved helmet this season, barring a long-shot legal challenge. Otherwise he can’t play, or get paid.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 12, 2019

Now it's up to Brown, who can retire and get a hefty sum of $1 million if he walks away from the game.