© Kirby Lee | 2019 May 28
UPDATE: The Raiders released Antonio Brown on Saturday morning the team has announced.
The Raiders have released WR Antonio Brown from the team today.
— Oakland Raiders (@Raiders) September 7, 2019
The situation between Antonio Brown and the Raiders has reached a tipping point. The receiver asked to be released from the team via an Instagram post on Saturday morning, after Adam Schefter’s report that Oakland has voided the near $30 million worth of guarantees in his contract.
“You are gonna piss a lot of people off when you start doing what’s right or you,” Brown’s post said, along with the caption: “And that’s fine ! I have worked my whole life to prove that the system is blind to see talent like mines.Now that everyone sees it, they want me to conform to that same system that has failed me all those years. ‘I’m not mad at anyone. I’m just asking for the freedom to prove them all wrong.’ Release me @raiders #NOMore #theyputblindersonahorseforareason #NoMoreFake”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2HGYq2B2uT/?utm_source=ig_embed
By fining Antonio Brown $215,073.53 last night for conduct detrimental to the team on Sept. 4, the Raiders voided the $29.125 million worth of guaranteed money in his deal, per league sources.
This could help explain why Brown is now asking the Raiders for his release.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 7, 2019
I just got an email from Antonio Brown. He tells me the team “took away my guarantees.” He added there’s “no way I play after they took that and made my contract week to week.” So at this moment, once again, don’t expect AB to play on Monday Night Football.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) September 7, 2019
This all comes on the heels of a truly bonkers video that Brown posted to YouTube on Friday night, which featured what sounded like a recording of a private phone call between the receiver and head coach Jon Gruden.
“Please stop this shit and just play football,” Gruden is heard saying on the video.
