Tomlin: Brown `foolish' to stream locker room video
Coach Mike Tomlin apologized for the content of the video filmed by Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, and said any punishment will be handled internally ahead of the team’s AFC Championship Game against the Patriots on Sunday.
Tomlin opened his press conference yesterday by addressing the situation for almost five minutes. After the Steelers’ divisional round win against the Chiefs, Brown filmed a Facebook Live video from inside the locker room, where Tomlin was addressing his team. The coach can be heard using foul language regarding the Patriots and ironically telling his team to keep a low profile on social media during the week ahead of the conference title game.
“I’d like to say the language on the video is regrettable,” Tomlin said. “Language by me and by others. It’s regrettable because this thing that is the National Football League, this platform that we have is a precious and awesome thing, and not something we take very lightly.
“That’s why we go to great lengths to preserve certain moments and certain interactions between us because we are very sensitive to the opportunity that we have as role models. So I apologize for the content of the video from that perspective. As a parent, as a member of a community, I take that very seriously, and so I sincerely issue an apology in that regard.”
Tomlin went on to say that he doesn’t think the video will do anything to distract his team or motivate the Patriots.
“I have absolutely no worries regarding (that),” Tomlin said. “We’re in the AFC Championship. You’re not going to creep in the back door of New England and win a football game and creep out of there with an AFC Championship.”
Tomlin said Brown’s punishment will be handled inhouse. He said he hadn’t met with his receiver yet, but will address the situation when he sees him.
When asked if the punishment will be reflected on the field on Sunday, Tomlin replied, “No.”
“I’ll be bluntly honest here, it was foolish of him to do that,” Tomlin said. “It was selfish for him to do that. And it was inconsiderate for him to do that. Not only is it a violation of our policy, it’s a violation of league policy, both of which he knows. There are consequences to be dealt with from his perspective. We will punish him. We will not punish us. And we’ll do so swiftly, and we’ll do so internally.”
Tomlin wasn’t the only one disappointed in Brown. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger also had strong words for his top target.
“It’s an unfortunate situation that we’ve got to deal with right now,” Roethlisberger said on Pittsburgh’s 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 (Brown) would have been listening to coach and myself instead of being on the other side of the locker room filming.”