Tuesday’s NFL: Brown’s tweet raises Steelers' ire
Mike Tomlin doesn’t like talking about the way his players use social media. The Pittsburgh Steelers coach would prefer to stick to football.
But Antonio Brown isn’t giving his boss much choice.
Tomlin said he plans to speak to the All-Pro wide receiver “directly” after Brown caused a bit of a commotion — again — by taking to Twitter to vent after a former team employee suggested Brown’s stardom is a result of playing with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Brown, who starred at Central Michigan, responded by tweeting “trade me let’s find out.” Asked Tuesday if one of the NFL’s most dynamic players has asked to be moved, Tomlin responded “no, no” and laughed.
Still, Tomlin believes the seemingly incessant inquiries about Brown’s online behavior is growing tiresome.
“It’s important that we understand our position, the light that shines on us and the responsibility that comes with it,” Tomlin said.
Tomlin plans to provide Brown with a reminder today when the team returns to practice. He wasn’t able to on Monday because Brown did not show up for work.
Tomlin declined to say whether Brown’s absence was excused, though Tomlin has typically offered an explanation when a player is out.
Brown has 18 receptions for 160 yards and a touchdown in two games, a pace that would easily have him top 100 receptions for a sixth straight season.
Yet Brown has struggled at times to keep his emotions in check, be it on social media or on the sideline.
Hall of Famers talk boycott
A group of Pro Football Hall of Famers led by Eric Dickerson is demanding health insurance coverage and a share of NFL revenues or else those former players will boycott the induction ceremonies.
In a letter sent to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith and Hall of Fame President David Baker — 21 Hall of Fame members cited themselves as “integral to the creation of the modern NFL, which in 2017 generated $14 billion in revenue.”
Among the signees were Dickerson, who is listed as chairman of the newly created Hall of Fame Board the group has formed, Jim Brown, Jerry Rice, Joe Namath, Lawrence Taylor and Sarah White, the widow of Reggie White.
There were questions, though, about the how well-organized the group was. Two players whose names are on the letter said they were not part of the boycott effort. Another name on the list of 22 signees was Carl Ellard, but no one by that name has played professional football. Former Vikings defensive end Carl Eller, however, is a Hall of Famer.
Extra points
An East Texas school superintendent who wrote “You can’t count on a black quarterback” in the comment section of an online news article, in reference to a play on Sunday by Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, says he thought it was a private message. The school district has posted a notice that the school board will meet Saturday to discuss LynnRedden’s contract.
... The mother of LeSeanMcCoy’s son says she agreed to defend the Buffalo Bills running back against an allegation he abused the boy even though she says she knew the accusation was true.
... Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Corey Liuget has sued the trainer who he says is responsible for his four-game suspension for using a performance-enhancing substance.
... Atlanta Falcons have lost offensive guard Andy Levitre to a season-ending triceps injury, the third player to go down with a major injury in the first two weeks of the season.