Steelers plan to talk to Brown about social media usage

PITTSBURGH—Mike Tomlin doesn’t like talking about the way his players use social media. The Pittsburgh Steelers coach would prefer to stick to football.

Antonio Brown, however, 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 responded by tweeting “trade me let’s find out.” When 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 on Wednesday 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 in the past Tomlin has typically offered an explanation when a player is out.

Brown caught nine passes for 67 yards in a 42-37 loss to Kansas City on Sunday that dropped Pittsburgh to 0-1-1. He has 18 receptions for 160 yards and a touchdown through two games, a pace that would easily have him top 100 receptions for a sixth straight season.