Ex-Steeler calls Ben racist QB
Mendenhall: Situation likely led to Brown’s departure
Former Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall tweeted Thursday that Ben Roethlisberger is “a racist quarterback” whose nature likely led to Antonio Brown’s breaking point in Pittsburgh.
“Alright, I’ll end the mystery… B’s racist and @AB84’s black,” Mendenhall wrote. “He had to catch balls from a racist quarterback. Every honest player knows it, it’s not a big deal. He was just supposed to take his lickings and move on, like a slave for real.”
Mendenhall later tried to walk back his comments, but his point had been made.
He had started by tweeting: “I know he seems outta pocket right now, but I seriously feel for @AB84.”
Later he wrote: “Think about what it would take to render @AB84, the GREATEST COMPETITOR of our generation, incapable of showing up to play in his last game.”
When a fan responded, “Coming from a guy who quit on the team vs San Diego why don’t you tell us what would make a guy quit,” Mendenhall responded by labeling Roethlisberger a racist.
Eventually, he tried to backtrack by saying: “Clearly it’s no fun, when EVERYONE’s the accused… Please allow the dialogue in sports to be equal. Why’s it so easy to shoot at one player, but not the other? B’s not racist. Just like AB’s not a dirtbag. #letsbefair.”
Mendenhall’s true feelings already had come out, though. As if Brown’s departure from Pittsburgh could get any uglier.
Steelers offensive guard Ramon Foster released a statement on behalf of himself and center Maurkice Pouncey begging Steelers-affiliated players to stop airing their dirty laundry on social media.
However, Foster and Pouncey were two of the most vocal Steelers players publicly blasting Le’Veon Bell during the running back’s holdout last season, so it remains to be seen if their message will get through.
“Moving forward…any former player or affiliate of the Steelers who has an issue with anyone still in the locker room, please contact me or Maurkice Pouncey or anyone else you feel you can talk to,” Foster’s message read. “Whoever you have an issue with, we will get you their number so you can address them. I PROMISE.
“These media takes might give ya’ll good traffic on your social media outlets but the guys still in that locker room, who ya’ll still know personally have to answer for those comments,” he continued. “Call them what you want, but call them personally and tell THEM. Defend who you want to defend but but you don’t have to mention the team at all.
“Whether you have a ring or played for one year…ENOUGH…CHILL,” Foster added. “Most players at one point in their life want to take their kids back to the place where they once played, don’t burn too many bridges. It’s a long history or brotherhood more than anything, BUSINESS is one thing but let’s keep it at a minimum for the guys who have to answer for those comments moving forward.”