NFL notes: Tomlin says Brown ‘foolish’ to live-stream postgame locker room
The father in Mike Tomlin regrets the language he used to describe the New England Patriots during the postgame speech Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown opted to livestream on social media after a taut playoff victory over Kansas City.
The coach in Tomlin has just as big an issue with one of his team’s biggest stars forcing the Steelers to talk about something other than trying to find a way to finally beat Tom Brady when it counts.
A characteristically blunt Tomlin called Brown’s decision to broadcast to the world more than 17 minutes of Pittsburgh’s giddy locker room celebration – a move that caught Tomlin using a handful of profanities – “foolish,” “selfish” and “inconsiderate.”
“Not only is it a violation of our policy, it’s a violation of league policy, both of which he knows,” Tomlin said Tuesday.
“So there are consequences to be dealt with from his perspective. We will punish him. We won’t punish us.”
Tomlin took responsibility for his choice of words, though he was unaware of being filmed as he spoke.
During Tomlin’s postgame remarks, he attached an expletive to the Patriots, who earned a full day’s head start on preparing for the Steelers by virtue of beating Houston on Saturday night, 24 hours before Pittsburgh outlasted Kansas City 18-16.
“The responsibility associated with being in this thing, just from a role model standpoint, it’s something that I personally embrace,” Tomlin said.
“It’s something that we as a team and organization embrace. So that’s why the language, specifically, in terms of the content, is regrettable.”
Rivers denies he wants to be traded
Philip Rivers said is not pushing a trade to the San Francisco 49ers or anywhere else.
The Chargers quarterback was asked about two reports on Twitter saying he was not happy with the team’s move to Los Angeles and was seeking a trade to San Francisco.
The second of the reports said Rivers wanted to have say in who the 49ers hired as their general manager and coach.
Rivers not being aware of any trade rumors does not preclude the Chargers from shopping him, but he could veto any deal. The Chargers would be aware he is almost certain to decline any such deal with the 49ers, who won just two games in 2016.
Around the league
Wide receivers coach Ricky Proehl has resigned from the Carolina Panthers so he can spend more time watching his sons play college football. … Brian Winters is sticking with the Jets after they took a chance on him four years ago. The right guard signed a four-year contract extension Monday night worth $29 million, including $15 million guaranteed. … Denver Broncos coach Vance Joseph promoted secondary coach Joe Woods to defensive coordinator, replacing Wade Phillips, who left for the Rams. … The Buffalo Bills’ new head coach, Sean McDermott, hired Rob Boras to coach tight ends. Boras spent the past four seasons with the Rams, including the last two as offensive coordinator.