Antonio Pierce made all the headlines last week when he ‘liked’ a social media post about the Raiders looking to trade Davante Adams.
From the outside, it looked like a clumsy mistake by the Raiders head coach, and the criticism directed at Pierce came from some of the best commenters on the team in the media.
It looked even worse on Tuesday of last week when Davante Adams said he had not heard from Pierce since the story about the ‘liked’ video went viral.
“I haven’t heard from [Antonio Pierce]. I haven’t talked to him,” Adams told Up and Adams host Kay Adams on Tuesday of last week. “I don’t really know what that was about. Obviously social media is a beast, so it’s a lot of people out there that saw it and wondering what’s going on, and people reaching out.”
In the wake of those comments from Adams, respected podcast and radio host Jason Fitz made a strong statement on situation that reflected what a large portion of the fan base was feeling at the time.
“To see Davante [Adams] go on Up and Adams to say that he hasn’t heard from Antonio Pierce, to me, is a level of stupid I can’t wrap my head around,” Fitz said on Wednesday of last week. “I’m not saying Antonio Pierce is a stupid man. I’m just saying that’s stupid decision. When you are a coach and your star is in rumors, and you’ve got some sort of like of a tweet out there, you call the player. It is simple to pick up the phone and call one of your biggest superstars to even everything out.”
Given the sequence that everything played out in the news, it was reasonable to believe Adams was responding to Pierce with his trade request.
But then came a report that Adams requested to be traded on Monday and that opened to the door for a scenario where Pierce might have ‘liked’ the trade rumors after Adams requested to be traded.
On Monday, FOX Sports insider Jay Glazer filled in more details and explained how and when Adams approached the team last week.
“Last Sunday everything was fine. Before the game, during the game, after the game. Great,” Glazer said on the Dan Le Batard Show. “He comes in Monday morning and texts Antonio Pierce to meet with him and AP thought it was about the hamstring. All of a sudden, he was like ‘Hey, I’m out. You got to get me out. I don’t want my career to end like this.'”
According to Glazer, the Raiders response was to accommodate Adams’ request…
“Instead of saying ‘We’ll see. We’ll decide.’ The [Raiders] just kind of granted it and let teams know it’s a 2-plus if you want him…”
x: @raidersbeat
Both sides have now been heard. I’m sure the truth lies somewhere in the middle. One thing that I’m sure is true, AP Didn’t punch like until after Adams wanted out.
After those two Third down drops against Carolina that would’ve moved the chains, good riddance.
This team is like a never ending underground coal fire. I’m starting to think that the only way back to relevance is for new ownership. The Davis family has pretty much ran this franchise into the ground!
I just smh @ the hate AP recieved when it was #17 the whole time & it was known in small circles that it was him but not reported on until now just get this team a QB & let them cook☠️🏴☠️💯