As we all thought, the Facebook Live video taken by Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown showing Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin calling the New England Patriots “assholes” has become quite the talking point.
Not even 24 hours after the video was posted, it’s been taken down. On top of that, both the Steelers and Patriots have had the chance to comment on the video.
Here’s what Pittsburgh guard Ramon Foster had to say (via ESPN).
“As far as I’m concerned, everybody in this league is an a–h—, in my opinion,” guard Ramon Foster told reporters. “You have to be to play this sport. Coaches don’t become head coaches by being nice guys.”
The conversation between Steelers players and the media started with the video itself. Then it became more philosophical, which led to questioning the entire idea of filming the postgame speech by the coach.
“I think there are some things that are kind of sacred,” long-snapper Greg Warren said. “I personally like to keep some of that stuff private. AB is AB. He can do what he wants to do. We love AB. He’s a heckuva player. We will rally around him, and whatever he needs, we will help give it to him. But personally, I like some of that stuff sacred. But this is a changing world, a changing environment. I can’t be some old guy stuck under a rock.”
Foster said he “would love to hear AB’s explanation” but downplayed any concerns about the video providing extra incentive for the Patriots.
“The Patriots watched our game, they know everything about us,” Foster said. “They know for us to be in this game is not a secret. They’re going to study everything we do, so it’s not like we’re going to sneak up on them. It just so happened they heard what the coach was going to say. That’s it.”
New England head coach Bill Belichick had his regular radio appearance on WEEI in Boston on Monday. Of course, Belichick downplayed the incident and seemingly brushed it aside.
“Yeah, as you know I’m not on SnapFace and all that, I don’t really get those,” he said. “I’m just really worried about getting our team ready to go. I’m not really too worried about what they put on InstantChat, or whatever it is.”
The coach was asked if the Patriots have any rules on social media in the locker room, but he remained focused on Sunday’s game.
“We’re really just focused on trying to play well and win this week. The AFC championship game is really what it is about,” Belichick said.
Such a classic Belichick response. He definitely knows what all these different platforms. But he certainly doesn’t want to seem that way publicly.
This definitely wasn’t the first time a coach called the Patriots assholes, nor is it likely the last. However, it definitely has added some intrigue to Sunday’s AFC Championship between Pittsburgh and New England.
