Antonio Brown's Insane Helmet Fiasco Proves Ben Roethlisberger Wasn't to Blame for Steelers Drama
By Jerry Trotta
What was the counter at for how many days Antonio Brown wouldn't be in the news this offseason? Off the top of our heads, the tally has to be significantly less than 10.
Mr. Big Chest has blown our minds many a time in recent months, but none of his headlines were more befuddling than the one on Friday afternoon when he threatened to retire from football if the NFL doesn't permit him to don his old helmet. Shortly after, he took things a step further by filing a headgear grievance against the league.
What does Brown's bizarre ultimatum tell us? That the All-Pro wideout was the LONE problem in Pittsburgh, not quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
And now this: Raiders’ WR Antonio Brown has told team officials that, unless he gets to wear his old helmet, he will not play football again, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 9, 2019
And more....
Big Ben often went out of his way during pre- and post-game pressers to criticize the Central Michigan product for his route running, despite AB being the best in the league at that very dynamic.
Both parties were constantly bickering and making unwanted news for the Steelers -- a reality that repeatedly made Mike Tomlin look like he had no control of his locker room.
What have we learned this offseason? That no clubhouse which features Brown will operate sufficiently. Folks, Antonio hasn't even played a down for the Raiders and he's already forced the proverbial microscope to be placed on the franchise.
Antonio Brown believes the new helmet that the rules mandate he wears protrudes out and interferes with his vision as he tries to catch football. The Raiders have been sending Brown other approved helmets to try out but, at this time, he is not interested in wearing any of them.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 9, 2019
From several lawsuits, to being tardy to mini camp, to showing up to training camp in a freaking hot air balloon, to his bizarre frostbite ailment (of which Oakland allegedly had no idea even happened); and finally, to Friday's antics -- it all proves that Roethlisberger and Tomlin deserve the benefit of the doubt and are probably due an apology.