Foster: 'I'd love to hear AB's explanation'

Jan 16, 2017 • 3:23 pm

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Ramon Foster wants an explanation from Antonio Brown, but he is confident the content of Brown's Facebook Live video won't be bulletin-board material.

After the Steelers' 18-16 win over the Chiefs, Foster told reporters Monday at Rooney Sports Complex that Brown's video inside the locker room Sunday night at Arrowhead Stadium is not a distraction leading up to the AFC Championship Game, and Mike Tomlin's postgame comments won't incite the Patriots.

Brown's 17 1/2-minute video included Tomlin's talk to his players, where he called the Patriots a common profane term for a certain part of one’s backside. Well, Foster, the Steelers' player representative, thinks that term describes every coach and player in the NFL:

He also didn't think the Patriots were searching for motivation. A trip to the Super Bowl will be on the line Sunday night at Gillette Stadium.

"Understanding the game," Foster said when asked what the key is. "This time of the year, too, it’s best on best. We’re going to get their best. That’s why with AB doing his Facebook Live stuff it didn’t matter. We were going to get their best regardless. We’ve got to go into their place. They’ve got the advantage there. It’s just us against them. That’s what this game is. I’d love to hear AB’s explanation, but it is what it is."

There is a possibility Brown's video could violate the NFL's social media policy, according to reporting from ESPN's Adam Schefter. According to Schefter, NFL policy prohibits players from posting anything on social media from 90 minutes before kickoff to the end of postgame interviews. Brown has already had to pay numerous fines this season for touchdown celebrations and uniform violations.

There is history between the Steelers and Patriots. The Steelers have lost the last three meetings, including four of their past five at Gillette Stadium. Sunday will be the first time the two teams will play in the AFC Championship Game since the 2004-05 season.

Brown's antics have been a topic of conversation, but the Steelers insist it won't cloud their focus as they prepare for the Patriots and Tom Brady. There were differing opinions among the four players who were in the locker room Monday.

Foster believed Brown's decision to take video was not an issue, but long snapper Greg Warren said the locker room is a "sacred" place and some aspects should be off limits to the public.

"Yeah, I think there are some things that are kind of sacred," Warren said. "I personally like to keep some of this stuff private. AB is AB and he can do what he wants to do. You know what? We love AB. He’s a heck of a player. We’ll rally around him, and whatever he needs we’ll help give it to him. But personally, I like some of that stuff sacred. This is a changing world and a changing environment. I can’t be some old guy stuck under a rock, that’s for sure."

Steelers' players, including Brown, have posted live video from the locker room after games this season. Robert Golden said players enjoy capturing moments after an emotional win, but he, personally, would not include the coach's speech.

Brown's decision also came after both Foster and Tomlin encouraged players to not incite the Patriots on social media. The sentiment was to keep quiet after the Steelers' winning streak stretched to nine games, but they are faced with another potential distraction as they prepare for the franchise's 16th AFC Championship Game.

Foster insisted the fallout from Brown's decision is between the star wide receiver and Tomlin, and the Steelers' victory, or the contents of Tomlin's speech, won't come as a surprise to the Patriots' players or coaching staff.

"I don't know; that’s AB’s problem," Foster said when asked if there's a locker-room rule against posting such a video. "Coach Tomlin will have to deal with it. I have no problem with it. It’s not like we’re sneaking up on anybody anyway. So be it."