Bell doesn't agree with Brown's handling of helmet issue

Le'Veon Bell empathizes with Antonio Brown during his ongoing helmet issue, but the New York Jets' star running back believes his former Pittsburgh Steelers teammate has taken his grievance too far.

"As a skill player, it's kind of hard to change your helmet, especially when you've been playing so long with it," Bell told Newsday's Bob Glauber. "I understand where he's coming from, but at the same time, it's a rule, so you have to change the helmet.

"I changed my helmet my second year (with the Steelers), and I've been playing with a certain helmet my whole career. It was hard to do, but I knew this was coming eventually, so I might as well change my helmet now."

"Him fighting for it, him not showing up for practice," Bell added, "I don't really agree with that."

Brown has missed the majority of his first offseason with the Oakland Raiders following a trade from the Steelers.

The All-Pro wideout's absence has stemmed from both his desire to wear a now-banned helmet and a cryotherapy chamber mishap that resulted in frostbite on both his feet.

Brown has filed a second grievance in an attempt to keep wearing the helmet he's donned throughout his NFL career, and the hearing will reportedly take place on Friday.

If the arbitrator again rules in the NFL's favor, Brown will likely need to take Bell's advice and concede defeat.