Another day, another story in the dramatic roller coaster that is the Oakland Raiders and their star wide receiver Antonio Brown.
Following a tiff with general manager Mike Mayock in which Brown reportedly called Mayock a “cracker” while hurling derogatory barbs during a very visible confrontation at practice, it appears the Raiders won’t be suspending Brown after all.
In fact, Raiders head coach Jon Gruden said that the plan is for Brown to play on Monday night when they take on the Denver Broncos.
“That’s the plan,” Gruden said on Friday, according to ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez. “That’s the plan, yes.”
“Antonio is back today,” Gruden said. “We’re really excited about that. Ready to move on. He’s had a lot of, obviously, time to think about things. We’re happy to have him back and I know Raider Nation is excited about that, too.”
It appeared that Brown was on his way to a suspension, and it looked as though the Raiders may be ready to take things further by going after the $30 million guaranteed paid to Brown in his contract.
But it appears that cooler heads prevailed. Or, more likely, that Brown shaped up with so much money on the line.
According to ESPN’s Josina Anderson, Brown issued what is being described as an “emotional apology” during a team meaning in the morning, standing alongside Raider team captains.
Per the report, Brown issued the apology with team captains “standing with him” and that the team “treated him like a family member” afterward.
Now, Brown will suit up for the season opening tilt on Monday night, that is if nothing crazy happens from now until then.
With Brown, you just never know.