New details have continued to come out regarding the heated dispute between Oakland Raiders general manager Mike Mayock and star wide receiver Antonio Brown.
Thursday’s NFL news cycle was saturated with reports of fight between Mayock and Brown, that nearly culminated with the two coming to blows during practice on Wednesday.
ESPN’s Josina Anderson released a lengthy report Friday that included more intimate details of the quarrel, with Brown allegedly calling Mayock a ‘cracker’ while dropping a variety of different ‘cuss words’ during the altercation as well.
Brown was heated during Wednesday’s aforementioned practice just hours after he had received a signed letter from Mayock that was notifying Brown that the team was planning to fine AB for missing mandatory team functions. Brown even posted the letter on official Instagram to over his 3.4 million followers with a caption that mocked Mayock and the team.
Brown was noticeably ticked off at practice before the fight, reportedly walking off the field during drills and firing the ball at a fence after catching a pass from Derek Carr.
When Brown saw Mayock patrolling the sidelines, that’s when he approached the GM to exchange words over the letter.
Brown had to be held back by teammates, including his old rival Vontaze Burfict. Anderson’s source said Mayock tried to defuse the situation: “Mayock was like ‘I’m cool, I understand your displeasure. Mayock sort of just like… walked away because it saw it escalate.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Thursday that the team was contemplating suspending Brown for conduct detrimental to the team, which would be a defacto way of voiding his $30 million guaranteed contract.
Brown reportedly gave an emotional apology to the team on Friday, with teammates allegedly embracing a finally contrite Brown.
No word has been released on a possible suspension, but Brown’s agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN’s ‘Get Up’ that his client wants to be a part of the Raiders franchise and play Week 1 against the Broncos.