The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots, but you would never know it.
All of the talk, both locally and nationally, hasn’t been about Ben Roethlisberger vs. Tom Brady. Not Le’Veon Bell vs. the Patriots’ rush defense. No, it has all been about Antonio Brown’s Facebook Live video which has caught everyone’s attention following the 18-16 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional round of the AFC Playoffs.
As Mike Tomlin faced questions regarding this situation at his Tuesday press conference, Ben Roethlisberger was asked about his view of the Brown video, and how the situation may be handled, on his weekly radio show on 93.7 The Fan. See what the franchise quarterback had to say about the video:
“It’s an unfortunate situation that we’ve got to deal with right now,” Ben told 93.7 the Fan. “That’s a sacred place where things are said and hugs and tears, and it’s kind of a special place. So a little disappointed with AB for that…Coach talks and then I talk, and you just don’t want everyone to know what’s going on in there with the family. And also, I wish AB would have been listening to Coach and myself instead of being on the other side of the locker room filming.”
“I’ll talk to AB, but like I said, it’s not like it needs to be addressed in front of the team by me or anything, that’s coach’s job. He’s the boss, he’ll address it however he feels appropriate…It’ll be water under the bridge here for me right now as soon as we’re done talking about it.”
All of Roethlisberger’s comments are more than valid in this situation. Brown wasn’t listening to what the coach and captains had to say after the game, but was more focused on his phone and the collective group of players who were away from the coach giving his post-game speech.
Also valid is the fact Roethlisberger points out this will likely become water under the bridge in a few short days. Just like Joey Porter’s unfortunate arrest the night of the team’s Wild Card victory over the Miami Dolphins, when Wednesday and Thursday roll around it will likely become a non-story.
Brown could be fined for his actions, due to the NFL’s social media policy which prohibits the posting on social media 90 minutes before the game, and not permitted until 90 minutes following the game.
Regardless, the team now has to face the music of the backlash from the video, before moving forward and onto the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game.
To hear all of Ben Roethlisberger’s interview, hit the play button below: