Page 22 - AT

A22 SPORTS
Friday 6 September 2019
Antonio Brown not with Raiders amid reports of suspension

By JOSH DUBOW the next two seasons con-
AP Pro Football Writer tained in Brown’s contract
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — with the Raiders.
Star receiver Antonio Brown “I’m not going to get into
was not with the Oakland any of that stuff right now,”
Raiders four days before coach Jon Gruden said.
the season opener amid “We’ll have an official an-
reports he could be sus- nouncement later.”
pended over a confronta- Gruden said he was frus-
tion with general manager trated by the situation but
Mike Mayock. that the team is ready to
Mayock said at the be- start the season without
ginning of practice Thurs- Brown if necessary. The
day that Brown wasn’t at Raiders spent most of train-
the Raiders facility and ing camp without Brown on
wouldn’t be practicing a the field as he dealt with
day after posting a letter frost bite on his feet and
from the GM on social me- a fight with the NFL over
dia detailing nearly $54,000 his helmet. “We’ve been
in fines. “I’ll make it short going out for practice ev-
and sweet,” Mayock said. ery day and we adjusted In this Aug. 20, 2019, file photo, Oakland Raiders’ Antonio Brown walks off the field after NFL football
“Antonio Brown is not in without him,” Gruden said. practice in Alameda, Calif.
the building today, won’t “We never knew some- Associated Press
be practicing. I don’t have times when he was going tract worth $50.125 million. Mayock to issue an ultima- ly prompted the latest run-
any more information for to practice. So we’re good But Brown was unable to tum for Brown to be “all in in with Mayock and now
you right now. When I have at it. We’re good at adapt- practice at the start of or all out” and also to hand leaves Brown’s status with
some and it becomes ap- ing and adjusting. Unfortu- training camp after getting him a $40,000 fine. the team in doubt ahead
propriate you guys will all nately. I’m going to keep frost bite on his feet during Brown returned to the team of Monday night’s opener
get it. But that’s it for to- my fingers crossed.” a cryotherapy accident in the following day but then at home against the Den-
day.” ESPN reported earlier This is just the latest de- France. missed a mandatory walk- ver Broncos.
Thursday that the two had velopment in a dramatic Brown was activated July through before an exhibi- “We all love AB,” team-
a confrontation the previ- first season in Oakland for 28 and took part in one tion game in Winnipeg on mate Hunter Renfrow said.
ous day over the posting of Brown, who has yet to step walkthrough and part of Aug. 22, leading to a sec- “Whenever he’s here he’s
the letter and that the Raid- on the field for a game with one practice before leav- ond fine of $13,950. a blast to be around and
ers plan to suspend Brown. his new team. ing the team to get treat- Brown publicized those he’s so fun to play with and
Teams have the right un- The Raiders acquired the ment for his feet and to fines on his Instagram ac- just watch really.”
der the collective bargain- game’s most prolific receiv- fight the NFL and the NFLPA count Wednesday. Brown Brown had several issues
ing agreement to suspend er after he wore out his wel- over his helmet. also wrote on the account: in Pittsburgh as well, lead-
players up to four games come in Pittsburgh. Oak- Brown lost two grievances “WHEN YOUR OWN TEAM ing to the team’s decision
for conduct detrimental to land gave up only a third- with the league in his at- WANT TO HATE BUT THERE’S to trade him even though
the team. and fifth-round pick for the tempt to use an old hel- NO STOPPING ME NOW he topped 100 receptions
A suspension would also four-time All-Pro receiver met now banned for safety DEVIL IS A LIE. EVERYONE and 1,200 yards receiv-
void the more than $29 and gave him a hefty raise reasons. He skipped prac- GOT TO PAY THIS YEAR SO ing in each of the past six
million in guarantees over with a new three-year con- tice on Aug. 18, prompting WE CLEAR.” That apparent- seasons.q

NHL, NHLPA set to meet again to talk CBA extension

By STEPHEN WHYNO sues this time appear more extension of the current
AP Hockey Writer manageable. Bettman CBA with some changes.
CHICAGO (AP) — The NHL described it as “joint prob- If players decide not to
and NHL Players’ Associa- lem-solving” between the opt out and there’s no ex-
tion will meet again Friday league and players, which tension, the CBA expires in
in New York to continue has sparked the ongoing September 2022.
collective bargaining ne- dialogue. “I said this to Roughly 50 players from
gotiations. Players have (NHLPA executive direc- the executive board
until Sept. 15 to decide tor Don Fehr) when I told and others in town met
whether to terminate the him we weren’t reopen- Wednesday night. Chi-
current collective bar- ing: ‘Listen, we’ve been cago Blackhawks player
gaining agreement ef- at this since February. representative Jonathan
fective a year from now. Whatever you need in the Toews said the 700-plus-
Owners had the same op- next two weeks subject to member group is pretty
tion and chose not to end existing commitments ... close to having a consen-
it, citing the health of the we’re at your disposal,’” sus on major issues.
league and the momen- Bettman said Thursday. “I cannot remember in all
tum from a period of labor “Whatever (players) want my career in both sports,
peace.Unlike previous ne- In this May 27, 2019, file photo, NHL Commissioner Gary in their period of having to a decision of that magni-
gotiations where Commis- Bettman speaks to the media before Game 1 of the NHL decide what to do, we’ll tude that wouldn’t be lop-
sioner Gary Bettman said hockey Stanley Cup Final between the St. Louis Blues and the try to be as accommodat- sided or unanimous,” Fehr
there was a need for fun- Boston Bruins, in Boston. ing as possible.” The two said. “I would be aston-
damental changes, the is- Associated Press sides could negotiate an ished if it would be split.”q