NFL star curses out team exec, calls him a 'cracker'—but the team is letting him play Monday

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown verbally abused general manager Mike Mayock at a practice Wednesday over fines the team imposed on him, but he will still play in Monday's game with no repercussions, according to ESPN.

 

Brown, who was traded from the Steelers to the Raiders this offseason, has been in an extended conflict with the NFL and the team over rules that prevented him from wearing his preferred helmet.

The receiver was so upset that he was being forced to wear a different (safer) helmet this season that he threatened to retire rather than wear it. He filed multiple grievances with the league, losing both times.

The team has fined him for missing team activities while considering quitting football over the helmet injustice. That's not to mention time he has missed because he suffered severe frostbite on his feet from entering a cryotherapy chamber without the proper footwear.

Brown responded to a letter detailing those fines by posting it on Instagram with the caption, "When your own team want to hate but there's no stopping me now devil is a lie. Everyone got to pay this year so we clear."

Still, in the NFL, talent rules over all else. So, despite all that drama, the team is ready to trot Brown out for week one's Monday night game—even after what happened Wednesday.

ESPN's Josina Anderson reported on the altercation:

On Wednesday, Brown initiated a discussion with Mayock midway through practice, resulting in the confrontation that had sparked the team's impasse with the player, according to a team source.

A Raiders source confirmed Brown was unhappy with the fine levied by the team and, seeing Mayock watching practice, walked over and initiated an exchange with the GM. The Raiders source confirmed information from another league source who said Brown called Mayock a "cracker" and unleashed a barrage of "cuss words" during the altercation.

The team source said Mayock tried to keep his cool and defuse the situation.

"[Mayock] was like, 'I'm cool, I understand your displeasure,'" the source said. "[Mayock] sort of just like ... just walked away because he saw it escalate."

Brown has since issued an "emotional" apology, receiving forgiveness and acceptance from his teammates. And, apparently, the forgiveness of team executives, since Brown was confirmed by head coach Jon Gruden to be playing Monday, despite earlier reports that the team intended to suspend him for his behavior.