Brown denies threatening to retire over helmet: 'I love to play the game'

Antonio Brown's search for a new helmet has yet to be resolved, but the star receiver says he never intended to retire over the much-publicized dispute with the NFL.

Brown reportedly told the Oakland Raiders he wouldn't play football again unless he can wear his now-banned old helmet, but the veteran returned to the team on Tuesday after losing his grievance.

“I don't know where they got that, who made that up, either," said Brown after the Raiders beat the Arizona Cardinals 33-26 on Thursday in preseason action, according to Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

"Why would I retire, man? I've got a beautiful career. I'm healthy. I love to play the game ... I'm grateful to play the game”

Brown didn't suit up for the Raiders' second preseason game, but the wideout did run drills during pre-game workouts. The foot injury that's sidelined him for most of training camp didn't appear to limit the seven-time Pro Bowler.

After being without his prized offseason acquisition because a cryotherapy chamber mishap led to frostbite, Raiders head coach Jon Gruden was happy to see Brown back on the field.

"I'm not going to say anything else, but I'm very optimistic after what I saw tonight," Gruden said, according to ESPN's Paul Gutierrez.

"Hell yeah, it was encouraging. It was great to have him back," Gruden added of Brown. "You know, it's been a strange, strange couple weeks, with frostbite and the helmet grievance. Can't say that that's common, at least in my history in this league. But we've weathered the storm."

Brown's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said on Tuesday that while his client's preferred Schutt Air Advantage model helmet has been found, there's still work ahead to get the helmet certified and ensure it was manufactured during the NFL's 10-year limit.

The 31-year-old wore a helmet during his pre-game workout on Thursday, but Gruden refused to share details.

"I'm not talking about it anymore," Gruden said. "It was a legal, certified helmet, you know? Somebody approved it, or he wouldn't have worn it."

Gruden added that he hopes Brown practices with the Raiders before the team ends this year's camp on Monday.