I don't really care which team won. If I had to pick a team to root for it would have been Cincinnati. So I'm watching a fairly competitive game although somewhat sloppy. It's raining and nobody seems to be getting any traction as far as taking control. The Bengals are down but seem to find some life in the 4th quarter. Somehow they take the lead. Pittsburgh is using a 2nd string QB and there's very little time left. The Bengals intercept with less than 2 minutes remaining. Run out the clock and play a game next week.
Then they fumble. Still no major problem. The Steelers have a long way to go. Back in comes an injured QB. A few short passes barely move the ball down the field. 28 seconds left. A pass over the middle is incomplete. The Bengal's linebacker is closing in but is at least 2 steps away and still decides to lower his shoulder and clock the receiver in the head. 15 yard penalty. You have been waiting all season to make the playoffs and you don't have the self control to pull up at the last minute. To make matters worse his team mates gets another 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty while the action is stopped to attend to the knocked out receiver. A gift of 30 yards and the Steelers hit the easy field goal to advance.
How in the world can 1 person, 2 if you include the PF after the play, decide that making a statement is greater than winning the game. I would have loved to hear the conversation his coach had with him. I doubt any of his teammates would have even talked to him after he gave away their chance to advance to the next round.
I realize that football is an emotional sport. But we are talking about adults, not some kids in high school. If this guy played for the Patriots, he'd be packing his bags right now for the next flight out of town. I just hope the rest of the playoff games are this exciting.
Then they fumble. Still no major problem. The Steelers have a long way to go. Back in comes an injured QB. A few short passes barely move the ball down the field. 28 seconds left. A pass over the middle is incomplete. The Bengal's linebacker is closing in but is at least 2 steps away and still decides to lower his shoulder and clock the receiver in the head. 15 yard penalty. You have been waiting all season to make the playoffs and you don't have the self control to pull up at the last minute. To make matters worse his team mates gets another 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty while the action is stopped to attend to the knocked out receiver. A gift of 30 yards and the Steelers hit the easy field goal to advance.
How in the world can 1 person, 2 if you include the PF after the play, decide that making a statement is greater than winning the game. I would have loved to hear the conversation his coach had with him. I doubt any of his teammates would have even talked to him after he gave away their chance to advance to the next round.
I realize that football is an emotional sport. But we are talking about adults, not some kids in high school. If this guy played for the Patriots, he'd be packing his bags right now for the next flight out of town. I just hope the rest of the playoff games are this exciting.
I will not deny he has a mental illness!
