Between Coronavirus and the racial inequality in the United States and throughout the world, it is easy to get depressed with the state of affairs right now. Having said that, there has been some good news as of late and Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner came through with some of that good news over the weekend.
In a now-viral video, Conner showed off the moment in which he gifted his dad a brand new pickup truck. As you can see from the clip below, Conner and his father are standing across the street from the truck when the Steelers star reveals that the truck now belongs to his dad. Conner's father was shocked at first and then looked at his truck in giddy excitement. It was a beautiful moment between a father and son and we're sure they will remember this for a very long time.
What made the video humorous was the fact that Conner's dad refused to get in the car at first. Instead, he just wanted to admire the gift he had just been given. It adds a very pure quality to the video and we hope Conner's dad enjoys and drives the hell out of that car.
Many parents are instrumental in the success of professional athletes as they have to make numerous sacrifices along the path to glory. Clearly, Conner felt his dad was a major part of that journey.
James Harrison Responds To Criticism Over Mike Tomlin Fine Story
James Harrison recently admitted that the Steelers paid his own fine for him.
James Harrison was one of the most feared defensive players in the NFL back in his prime and while playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, he delivered countless crushing blows. One time, Harrison was fined $75,000 for one of his hits and it became a precedent for what was about to come in terms of the league cracking down on big hits.
During a recent interview, Harrison admitted that the Steelers thought the fine was stupid and ended up giving him the $75K so that he could pay off the fine without having to dip into his salary. NFL fans began to go bonkers upon hearing this, likening the situation to Saint’s infamous “Bountygate” scandal. Harrison ended up getting wind of this criticism and took to Instagram to give his unfiltered thoughts.
Per Harrison:
“Wow y’all really comparing what I said to BOUNTYGATE?!? Mike T. Has NEVER paid me for hurting someone or TRYING to hurt someone or put a bounty on ANYBODY! If you knew the full story of what happened back then you’d know that BS fine for a Legal Play wasn’t even penalized during the game. The league was getting pressure because the first concussion lawsuits were starting and they had to look like they cared about player safety all of a sudden. Before that they had been SELLING a photo of THAT SAME PLAY FOR $55 on the NFL website with other videos of the NFL’S GREATEST HITS that the league Profited On back then. When the league had to start pretending like they cared about player safety they took all those things down off their website and they started fining guys ridiculous amounts for the same plays they used to profit off of. EVERYBODY knew it – even these same media people and all the fans that were sending money to me and the team to cover the fine. AGAIN AT NO TIME did Mike T. EVER suggest anybody hurt anybody or that they’d be rewarded for anything like that. GTFOH with that BS!!!”
Harrison seems pretty upset by the notion that the Steelers were operating a Bounty system and rightfully so. Those allegations are very serious and you can’t help but understand what Harrison is trying to say here. It appears to be nothing more than a team making up for an unjust decision by the league.
JuJu Smith-Schuster Unlikely To Be Re-Signed By Steelers
JuJu Smith-Schuster is coming off an off-year with the Steelers.
JuJu Smith-Schuster came into the NFL with a ton of promise at the wide receiver position and playing alongside Antonio Brown, JuJu was having himself a great start to his career. Unfortunately, Brown began to feud with Smith-Schuster upon AB’s exit from Pittsburgh, and fans were forced to pick a side. Of course, Smith-Schuster took the more humble approach and became the number one option for the Steelers receiving core.
This promotion came with some growing pains as Smith-Schuster had an underwhelming year with only 42 receptions and 552 yards. It’s important to note that Smith-Schuster had some dubious quarterbacks last season so it wasn’t entirely his fault. Regardless of the circumstances, there are now rumors that Smith-Schuster is unlikely to be re-signed by the Steelers.
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According to Ed Bouchette of The Athletic, both running back James Conner and JuJu probably won’t be back with the Steelers in 2021. JuJu’s contract runs out at the end of the upcoming season and when Bouchette was asked if Smith-Schuster would get an extension, his response was “not likely.”
Based on this news and the fact that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is getting up there in age, it looks like the Steelers are positioning themselves for a bit of a rebuild.
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Maurkice Pouncey Reacts To NFL’s CBA In Epic Rant: "F*ck That"
Pittsburgh Steelers linemen Maurkice Pouncey is wholeheartedly against the NFL's proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey has some strong feelings about the NFL's proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement. For starters, Pouncey thinks the new CBA is "fucking bullshit."
During an epic rant, which was apparently filmed while Pouncey was driving around, the Pro Bowler called out the NFLPA leaders for putting forth a "bullshit-ass deal." Needless to say, he and his brother Mike, a center for the Chargers, will be voting "no" on the proposed CBA.
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Pouncey isn't the only NFL star who has spoken out against the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, but he did it in a much more explosive fashion than guys like Russell Wilson and JJ Watt. Pouncey's expletive laced rant includes the following quotes:
"Man, this shit so fucking crazy, man! I vote no. Fuck that shit. Our NFLPA -- the dudes at the top, the leaders -- man, that shit all fucking bullshit. Fuck that. They ain't looking out for the best of the players!"
"If ya'll want my vote, the Pouncey twins vote no," Pouncey added. “If any player on any one of our teams, if y’all hurting for rent money or anything while we go through this lockout, call us,” Pouncey said. “Man, we got way more money than what they had back in the days. All the vets on each team, stand the fuck up. Stand up! Show these guys that we care about them!"
"They trying to sign a bullshit-ass deal just so these motherfuckers and the sitting president can go around and smile and say, 'I got something done,'" Pouncey said. "You ain't get shit done!"
Check out the rant in the video embedded below.
On Wednesday, representatives of the NFLPA announced that the proposed CBA will now be submitted to the players for a vote. As part of the new deal, the league would add a 17th regular season game and shorten the season. Teams would also be given additional roster spots, while former players would receive increased revenue and improved pensions.
Mike Tomlin Comments On Antonio Brown And Potential For Reunion
Antonio Brown and the Steelers have an interesting relationship.
Antonio Brown was a perennial all-star for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the better part of a decade. Unfortunately, his relationship with the team took a strange turn as he demanded a trade and eventually left for the Oakland Raiders. Eventually, Brown was cut by the Raiders and picked up by the New England Patriots. He only lasted one game with the Pats and now, he is out of work.
Recently, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was on ESPN First Take and he was asked by Stephen A. Smith about Brown's status with the team. Smith was curious as to whether or not the Steelers would ever consider a reunion with the star. While it's not totally off the table, it's certainly not something that's being heavily discussed.
"We have no current business interest at this time," Tomlin said. His answer shouldn't come as too much of a surprise considering the Steelers and AB ended things on bad terms. Sometimes, there are irreconcilable differences, especially with all of the rants Brown launched on his Twitter and Instagram platforms. Despite numerous apologies, it would probably be hard for Ben Roethlisberger to work alongside someone who has besmirched his name on numerous occasions.
Where do you think Brown should go next season?
Mike Tomlin Goes Off On Myles Garrett Over Mason Rudolph Allegations
Mike Tomlin is adamant that his quarterback did nothing wrong.
Myles Garrett and Mason Rudolph got into a pretty nasty altercation during a regular-season NFL game last year. Rudolph of the Pittsburgh Steelers tried to rip off Garrett’s helmet. This prompted the Cleveland Browns star to rush after Rudolph and smash him on the head with his own helmet. Garrett received a hefty punishment and recently, he was reinstated into the league. In an interview, Garrett alleged that Rudolph called him a racial slur and that’s what prompted his actions.
During an interview with First Take, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin went off on Garrett for making such allegations. As he explains, his quarterback never said such a thing and that the investigation that followed, proves this. Tomlin is one of the most respected coaches in the league and when he talks so frankly, people tend to listen.
“It was a thorough investigation done by us and the Nation Football League, I don’t think that was represented during that piece [that aired on ESPN],” Tomlin said. “These accusations are serious, not only in terms of Mason Rudolph’s character but his professional pursuits. Nobody on that field as a member of the Cleveland browns or Pittsburgh Steelers corroborated what was said by Myles Garrett. That was founded by us and the National Football League, and at no point during that piece this weekend that was stated.”
Needless to say, it doesn’t appear as though this saga is going to end anytime soon. For now, Rudolph is looking to take legal action against Garrett, which could prove to be a serious court battle. Stay tuned for updates on this situation as we will be sure to bring them to you.
Mason Rudolph May Take Legal Action Against Myles Garrett
Mason Rudolph has threatened to take legal action against Myles Garrett, after he claimed Rudolph made a racial slur against him that sparked the famous helmet-swinging incident.
Mason Rudolph is considering taking legal action against Myles Garrett, after the Browns' defensive end further alleged that Rudolph uttered a racial slur that instigated the famous helmet-swinging incident. On Saturday morning, Rudolph's attorney, Tim Younger, shared a statement on twitter regarding Garrett's recent interview with ESPN, in which he maintained that Rudolph had called him "a stupid 'N-word'" on the field.
"We waited to hear the entire interview," Younger wrote in the statement. "Garrett, after originally apologizing to Mason Rudolph, has made the ill-advised choice of publishing the belated and false accusation that Mr. Rudolph uttered a racial slur on the night in question. Note that Mr. Garrett claims that Mr. Rudolph uttered the slur simultaneously with being taken down, and before Mr. Garrett committed a battery by strike Mr. Rudolph on the head with a 6 lb helmet. His claim is ludicrous. This obviously was not the first time Mr. Rudolph had been sacked by an African American player. Mr. Garrett maliciously uses this false allegation to coax sympathy, hoping to be excused for what clearly is inexcusable behavior. Despite other players and the referee being in the immediate vicinity, there are zero corroborating witnesses--as confirmed by the NFL. Although Mr. Rudolph had hoped to move forward, it is Mr. Garrett who has decided to utter this defamatory statement — in California. He is now exposed to legal liability."
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Garrett first claimed that Rudolph had used a racial slur against him back in November immediately following the incident that got him suspended. Now that Garrett has been reinstated by the NFL, he sat down with ESPN to address the situation and revealed just what exactly Rudolph allegedly called him that triggered the brawl. "When he said it, it kind of sparked something, but I still tried to let it go and still walk away. But once he came back, it kind of reignited the situation," he said. "And not only have you escalated things past what they needed to be with such little time in the game left, now you're trying to re-engage and start a fight again. It's definitely not entirely his fault, it's definitely both parties doing something that we shouldn't have been doing." Rudolph has vehemently denied these claims, insisting that they are "1000% false" and a "bold-faced lie."
"I did not, have not, and would not utter a racial-slur," Rudolph wrote in a tweet on Saturday morning. "This is a disgusting and reckless attempt to assassinate my character." Stay tuned for updates on whether Rudolph pursues legal action against Garrett.
Myles Garrett Reveals What Mason Rudolph Allegedly Said Before Fight
Myles Garrett is adamant that Mason Rudolph used a racial slur.
Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns was suspended for a large chunk of last year's NFL season due to a brawl he had with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph. Garrett ended up striking Rudolph with his own helmet in what was one of the craziest fights we've seen in any sport. Recently, Garrett was reinstated into the league and has been speaking out about what happened.
While talking to Mina Kimes of ESPN, Garrett alleged that Rudolph called him a "stupid N-word" and that's what ultimately started the fight.
"When he said it, it kind of sparked something, but I still tried to let it go and still walk away. But once he came back, it kind of reignited the situation," Garrett said. "And not only have you escalated things past what they needed to be with such little time in the game left, now you're trying to re-engage and start a fight again. It's definitely not entirely his fault, it's definitely both parties doing something that we shouldn't have been doing."
Garrett has made this allegation in the past although it was quickly denied by Rudolph. Many of Rudolph's Steelers teammates have stood by him throughout this ordeal so it will be interesting to see how the league reacts to what Garrett is alleging.
Stay tuned for updates on this story as we will be sure to bring them to you.
Antonio Brown Finally Apologizes To Steelers: "I’m Forever Grateful"
AB opens up about his time in Pittsburgh: "We got more good moments than bad.”
After more than a year of trash-talking Ben Roethlisberger, JuJu Smith-Schuster and the rest of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization, Antonio Brown has finally offered an apology. During a lengthy interview with 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh on Thursday morning, AB addressed all of the "unwanted attention" he caused and said that he is "forever grateful" for his former Steelers teammates and the organization as a whole.
According to Adam Bittner of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Brown said:
“I apologize to those guys for the distractions. The unwanted attention I probably caused those guys. To the fans and organization. So obviously you want to clear out any baggage or disrespect or unintended attention that was brought on to the organization. You know these guys gave me an opportunity when I was 21 years old, and I’m forever grateful for those guys. To not only have the opportunity to play with those guys but be in so many amazing moments, and we’ve been through so much.
“So I’m forever grateful and indebted to the organization. Mr. Rooney. Mike Tomlin. Kevin Colbert. Ben Roethlisberger. You know I started my career with those guys. A lot of beautiful moments. A lot of amazing things. So it’s not all bad. I just think from an emotional standpoint, when stuff got bad, it just seem bad. But we got more good moments than bad.”
The former All Pro receiver's image has taken a massive hint since he left Pittsburgh, thanks in large part to his countless legal issues, but in recent days he has made an effort to repair his image. For instance, Brown has also apologized to the Hollywood Florida Police Department and even posted a photo with his baby mama, who he had verbally abused during a disturbing instagram live video.
That said, anyone who has been following AB's downfall is well aware that his next post on social media could completely contradict all the good will he is now trying to build up.
Ranking The Top 10 Best Super Bowls Of All Time
Some of these may bring back bad memories.
This weekend, the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will be battling it out in Miami as they try to win the coveted Lombardi Trophy. The 54th Super Bowl is set to be a phenomenal game between two teams that completely dominated the NFL regular and postseasons. While it remains to be seen who will win, we’re sure to be treated to an entertaining game, unlike that mess we got last year.
There are a lot of factors that go into what makes a good Super Bowl. You need intrigue, a game that goes down to the wire, big plays, otherworldly individual performances, and even some upsets to throw a wrench in the mix. With this in mind, we decided to make a top 10 list, counting down the ten best Super Bowls of all-time. When constructing this list, entertainment was certainly a factor, however, it’s not the be-all, end-all. Instead, we have used the criteria above to construct a top 10 that takes a look at all of the moving parts. Having said that, let’s get into it, shall we.
10. Super Bowl LII – Philadelphia Eagles 41, New England Patriots 33
Coming into this Super Bowl, the Eagles were clear underdogs. The Patriots came into this match as one of the greatest dynasties of all-time while the Eagles were playing with an unproven back up quarterback in Nick Foles. Somehow, the Eagles defied all expectations and defeated the Patriots in a 41-33 shootout. This game was defined by the infamous Philly Special that occurred at the end of the first half. For Eagles fans, this was a momentous occasion as the team finally won its first Super Bowl.
9. Super Bowl XLVII – Baltimore Ravens 34, San Francisco 49ers 31
There were plenty of stories to go around in this game. Jim and John Harbaugh were coaching against each other. Colin Kaepernick was looking to cement himself as a starter while Joe Flacco wanted to prove he was truly elite. Meanwhile, Ray Lewis was looking to end his career with one last hoorah. In the end, we got a huge treat for a game. After taking a huge lead in the first half, the Ravens began to implode. A lengthy power outage gave the 49ers plenty of time to prepare for a comeback. Eventually, the Ravens were able to hang onto the lead, with some help from the officials.
8. Super Bowl XXXII – Denver Broncos 31, Green Bay Packers 24
John Elway Vs. Brett Favre. This was a quarterback matchup for the ages. Favre had already won a Super Bowl by this point while Elway was known for losing in the big game. The Broncos legend was nearing the end of his career and was looking to finally get the weight off of his shoulders. Elway put together an incredible performance capped off by a valiant running effort to get a first down when the game was on the line. His performance will forever be considered one of the best in Super Bowl history. Not to mention, this win kicked off back-to-back Super Bowls for the Broncos.
7. Super Bowl XLIII – Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Arizona Cardinals 23
There were two moments that made this game so memorable. Of course, we are talking about the James Harrison 100-yard pick-six and the Santonio Holmes catch in the corner of the end zone. These two plays helped propel the Steelers to their sixth Super Bowl victory. Ben Roethlisberger won his second title of his young career which instantly made him one of the most successful quarterbacks of the decade. This was also the first and only time the Arizona Cardinals had made the Super Bowl which made it extra special.
6. Super Bowl XLIX – New England Patriots 28, Seattle Seahawks 24
This game is memorable because of the final play. I mean, who can really forget it? “The Seahawks should have ran the ball” became a rallying cry that is still said to this day. After a questionable first half, Tom Brady led a huge second half comeback that had the Patriots leading late in the game. In the final minutes, Russell Wilson and company began driving down the field and were just yards away from a game-winning touchdown. Instead of giving the ball to running back Marshawn Lynch, Wilson threw an interception in the end zone and the rest was history. The finale was spectacular and made for one of the best Super Bowls in modern day history.
5. Super Bowl III – New York Jets 16, Baltimore Colts 7
Many of you reading this probably weren’t even alive for this game. Hell, I wasn’t either. The score itself is fairly meager and in terms of pure entertainment value, it’s definitely not the greatest. With this in mind, you may be asking why this is even on the list to begin with? Well, it’s one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history. Joe Namath was considered a young QB with a big mouth. Meanwhile, Johnny Unitas was a behemoth of a quarterback and was favored to win by a significant margin. Somehow, Namath led his team to victory in what would become a career-defining moment. Jets fans haven’t had a lot to cheer for over the years but at least they can cling to Super Bowl III.
4. Super Bowl XXXIV – St. Louis Rams 23, Tennessee Titans 16
The sight of Kevin Dyson being tackled on the one-yard line with no time left will always haunt Tennessee Titans fans. It’s a moment that will forever be one of the best in Super Bowl history as the Rams won their first title. Sure, the game itself wasn’t anything spectacular but this one play made it one of the best championship games in sports history. Leading up to this game, the Titans got lucky with the Music City Miracle while the Rams were enjoying the success of young quarterback Kurt Warner. These were two teams few people saw going to the Super Bowl and it made the matchup that much more intriguing.
3. Super Bowl XIII – Pittsburgh Steelers 35, Dallas Cowboys 31
Fumbled punt returns, dropped touchdown passes, and back and forth offensive performances made this game an instant classic. The Cowboys were led by Roger Staubach while the Steelers were captained by Terry Bradshaw. Bradshaw put on a show as he went on to win Super Bowl MVP. At the time, the Cowboys and Steelers were two of the best franchises in the league and every single time they hit the field, it was box office. Cowboys vs Steelers was like the Lakers vs Celtics of the 80s. If you were around for this era, you could truly appreciate what this game meant for the rivalry and the NFL’s stranglehold on popular culture.
2. Super Bowl LI – New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 28
28-3. Quite frankly, that is all that needs to be said. We still can’t believe the Falcons blew that lead.
1. Super Bowl XLII – New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14
Pretty well everyone in the world thought the New England Patriots were going to win this game. They finished the season with the first ever 16-0 record in NFL history and were trying to have the best perfect record the league has ever seen. Tom Brady was on the cusp of tying Joe Montana for four Super Bowls. In the end, the Giants were able to put on a defensive clinic. The game was capped off by one of the most incredible catches in NFL history, courtesy of Davis Tyree. Plaxico Burress scored the final touchdown and Eli Manning got his first ever Super Bowl. This was one of the biggest upsets in sports history and it remains a sore spot for Patriots fans, despite their six other Super Bowl wins.
What was your favorite Super Bowl? Let us know in the comments below