Antonio Brown update: Raiders wideout delivers emotional apology, could avoid suspension, reports say

Gabrielle McMillen

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Antonio Brown update: Raiders wideout delivers emotional apology, could avoid suspension, reports say image

Here's the latest news on the Antonio Brown front, after the Raiders receiver's run-in Wednesday with GM Mike Mayock:

— Brown, according to ESPN, delivered an emotional apology to the team Friday morning while being flanked by team captains. The apology was apparently so moving that, according to NFL Media, the team may not only reverse course on a potential suspension but it could actually put him on the field against the Broncos on Monday.

— The Raiders as of early Friday morning were planning to suspend Brown, ESPN.com reported, citing unidentified league sources.

It's unclear how long Brown potentially would be suspended, and Mayock didn't elaborate when he spoke to reporters Thursday beyond saying Brown wasn't with the team and was not going to be practicing.

“Antonio Brown is not in the building today. He’s not going to be practicing," Mayock said. "I don't have any more information. When we do, I’ll get it to you. That’s it for today."

ESPN noted previously that if the Raiders suspend Brown with the intention of voiding the $30.125 million of guaranteed money in his contract, they could successfully dump the receiver, ending his time with the team.

— Previous to ESPN.com's report, NFL Media cited unidentified sources in reporting that the Raiders aren't planning to have Brown for their opener Monday against the Broncos, though that report said "it's not clear if it’s a suspension or if he’ll be merely inactive."

The star wideout and Mayock "got into it" on Wednesday, which prompted the team to make plans to suspend him, according to ESPN.

Per NFL Network, the altercation didn't become physical between Brown and Mayock, but the two screamed at each other before Brown told Mayock he would hit him in the face, punted a football, then allegedly told Mayock to fine him for that.

An unidentified Raiders source told ESPN that Brown called Mayock a "cracker" during the expletive-laden exchange.

In an ironic twist, Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict — who gave Brown a concussion when he was with the Bengals and Brown played for the Steelers — reportedly was the one holding back Brown as he yelled at Mayock.

— If, as has been reported, Brown threatened to punch Mayock, that would violate the league's Personal Conduct Policy and give the NFL the option to suspend him even if the Raiders elect not to, according to NBC Sports Bay Area.

— While most of the reaction to the run-in has fallen squarely in the Raiders' favor (former NFL player T.J. Lang called Brown a "total diva"), at least one current NFL star took the altercation as an opportunity to take a shot at Mayock, who was an NFL Network draft analyst before becoming the Raiders GM.

Saints wideout Michael Thomas noted that Mayock "had the nerves" to rate five receivers higher than Thomas in the 2016 NFL Draft.

In three seasons with New Orleans, Thomas has caught 321 passes for 3,787 yards and 23 touchdowns, and is in the discussion for best wide receiver in the NFL.

Brown recently voiced his displeasure over being fined nearly $54,000 for missing mandatory practices and walk-throughs and was given a letter from the team that stated his conduct was becoming "detrimental to the team."

Brown missed the first part of training camp due to frostbite on his feet from not wearing the proper footwear in a cryotherapy machine, and then held out from practice as he filed two grievances against the NFL in an attempt of wearing his outdated helmet.

While his feet have healed and he chose a new helmet to wear for the season, Mayock said recently Brown has to decide if he was "all in" with the Raiders.

Gabrielle McMillen