Shutterstock
There has been plenty of controversy surrounding Antonio Brown’s secretly recorded phone conversation with Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden. Because California is a two-party consent state, the wide receiver could have faced misdemeanor charges for recording the phone call and sharing it on social media.
But if we are to believe the producer of the video, Gruden actually approved of the call and said that he enjoyed it.
The conversation took place during an appearance on ESPN’s Dan Le Batard Show.
“We told [Brown], ‘Send the video to Gruden and see what he thinks. We can get consent that way,” producer Alejandro Narciso said. “My whole thing the entire time that we were waiting for the response was that Gruden was going to be like, ‘Listen, AB. I love you, man. But, that’s disrespectful…’ And he responds like 15 minutes later. Three texts. He goes: ‘Wow. I love it. Loved it. Love it.'”
The recording was one of the final straws between Brown and the Raiders before they officially parted ways.
Brown forced his way out of Oakland after a preseason filled with absurd drama stemming from the wide receiver’s frost-bitten feet to threatening to retire over an issue with his league-approved helmet. The Raiders acquired Brown in the offseason via a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers but they ultimately decided the headaches weren’t worth it.
Now, Brown is a member of the New England Patriots where he will look to improve his image.
Throughout his career in the NFL, Brown has hauled in 837 catches for 11,207 yards and 74 touchdowns. Last season, Brown recorded 104 catches for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns. In each of the last 6 seasons, Brown has recorded at least 100 catches and 1,000 yards. The Patriots opened the season with a blowout win over Brown’s former team, the Steelers.
Up next for the New England Patriots after their 33-3 win is a meeting with the AFC East rival Miami Dolphins, who suffered a 59-10 shellacking in Week 1 courtesy of Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.
