That’s “AFC North Football”
Spinal injuries, concussions and truck sticks , oh my — how Steelers-Bengals was a microcosm of the today’s NFL
Immediately following an inspirational come-from-behind win against a division-rival, ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters asked Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, “How would you explain the viciousness and brutality of this game?”
“AFC North football.”
While Ms. Salters was clearly not impressed with that answer, Big Ben’s response was kind of perfect — especially when you combine it with him reversing a commonly used phrase and wishing everyone “prayers and thoughts” instead of “thoughts and prayers” a minute later.
“AFC North football.” The answer was so simple, yet so appropriate. Anyone who watched this game (or even just watched the highlights), didn’t need an articulate response from Roethlisberger. We didn’t need Ben to remind us how quickly a young star like Ryan Shazier could have his career end and life dramatically changed. We didn’t need Ben to scold JuJu Smith-Schuster or George Iloka for their wanton disregard for player safety either. After all, we have eyes. And what we witnessed with those eyes, at its core, was football — specifically, “AFC North football.”
Quick tangent: ESPN’s attempt to shame Roethlisberger with articles like the one below is one of the more hypocritical things I’ve ever seen — this article is a response to ESPN’s self-righteous coverage of this game and the NFL in general. Lest we not forget that ESPN used to have a segment called “Jacked Up” on Monday Night Countdown — which was dedicated to the most violent, concussive hits each week. ESPN is also a company that employees tons of former NFL players who cannot go more than a minute without reminding us that “back in my day, that hit was just part of the game.” (Thanks former crappy QB-turned-analyst! We almost forgot that the only reason you got playing time was because the guys in front of you were on the receiving end of too many dirty hits.) Finally, ESPN is a company that decided to start its Monday Night Football halftime coverage with highlights instead of an update on or discussion about Ryan Shazier’s health. And they’re going to shame Big Ben for not giving a composed, thoughtful answer about a violent rivalry game that he had just played in? Ben isn’t the problem here — but ESPN is sure part of it. Don’t hate the player, hate the game.
Back to “AFC North football.” Time to dissect everything in this game that epitomized today’s NFL.
Ryan Shazier’s horrific injury
The good: While details are still a bit murky, it sounds like Shazier at least has some movement in his lower extremities (unlike Monday night). Hopefully that means he won’t be paralyzed or have any long-term spinal problems. Even if he has a full recovery, I wouldn’t blame him if he never played again.
The bad: This was one of the first times there was a big-time head/neck/spinal injury in a primetime game suffered by a great player in a long time. This injury was devastating for the long-term success of the NFL . . . Or was it? Because . . .
The ugly: We all kept watching.
Telling yourself that a player will be alright because he’s moving his hands as he’s being carried off the field on a stretcher — that’s “AFC North football.”
Joe Mixon’s concussion
The most brutal part about Mixon’s concussion wasn’t the fact that his brain just turned off for a hot minute. No, the most brutal part was that his concussion was only the 5th worst hit/injury in this game. (Side note: I love how trainers still had to bring him under the tent to test him for a concussion — I guess laying motionless and limp on the ground after being hit in the head wasn’t enough evidence?)
Pretending that players are in good hands because there’s a concussion tent on the sidelines — that’s “AFC North football.”
JuJu KO’s Vontez
This hit was a long time coming for Vontez Burfict and, if any player “deserved” to be on the receiving end of such a hit, it was Burfict.
Now before you get all triggered, watch this NINE minute video compilation of dirty shit Burfict has been doing his entire career — I repeat, N-I-N-E minutes of dirty plays:
Honestly, screw this guy. Did you see him twisting the Panthers’ players ankles? Or see him dive at QBs knees? Did you see him sprint off the field celebrating after he tore Le’Veon Bell’s knee? Oh, and remember when him and Pac-Man Jones tried to claim that Antonio Brown faked his concussion? No one should have any sympathy for a guy like that. Which brings me to JuJu Smith-Schuster a/k/a Hines Ward 2.0 . . .
I didn’t think it was possible for him to become any more beloved by the city of Pittsburgh — but he did just that when he brought down the hammer of retribution on the Steelers’ greatest nemesis. Obviously, the taunting was excessive. At the same time, someone needed to get John Gruden to stop gushing about how great Burfict was — I nearly lost it when Gruden said Marvin Lewis compares Burfict to Ray Lewis (the player, not the murderer). That claim was more ridiculous than Gucci Mane saying “I’m a murderer . . . but I don’t promote violence.”
Allowing your fandom and hate for a player to creep into your articles — that’s “AFC North football.”
Le’Veon Bell’s truck sticking
This was just one of about four or five impressive truck sticks and stiff arms by Bell. Poor Dre Kirkpatrick was on the receiving end of most of them.
Smash mouth running plays that expose skinny cornerbacks — that’s “AFC North football.”
The refs
They were like scab refs with Ed Hochuli’s arrogance. They called back two long touchdowns — one by AJ Green and one by Martavis Bryant — in the span of a couple of minutes on phantom holding calls. They also penalized the teams a combined 20 times for 243 yards! It was such a poorly officiated game that the announcers spent large parts of the 2nd half openly complaining about it.
Sloppy play, inclement weather and terrible officiating — that’s “AFC North football.”
Antonio Brown’s insane touchdown catch
What a catch!!! The combination of athleticism, concentration and toughness needed to make a catch like that in a moment like that is flat-out incomprehensible. How on earth can you take a lick like that and still hold on to the football? Amazing stuff from AB84 — if he wasn’t already on the short list for the NFL’s MVP award, that game sure put him in the discussion.
Risking decapitation to score the game-tying touchdown — that’s “AFC North football.”
Karma
Well said, AB. Well said.
Telling it how it is after a huge comeback victory over a poorly coached, undisciplined division rival— that’s “AFC North football.”
