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Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and receiver Antonio Brown were reportedly at odds over the decision to stay off the field for the national anthem before the loss at Chicago.
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Report: Anthem decision contributed to Antonio Brown's outburst in Baltimore

Matt Freed/Post-Gazette

Report: Anthem decision contributed to Antonio Brown's outburst in Baltimore

The Steelers have problems on the field, as their 30-9 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday at Heinz Field laid bare. Turns out, they may have some issues to sort out in the locker room, too.

CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reported Sunday morning that receiver Antonio Brown’s sideline outburst last week in Baltimore was triggered, in part, by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s role in the team’s decision to stay off the field for the national anthem two weeks ago before a loss at Chicago. La Canfora writes ...

“Roethlisberger spearheaded a decision to reverse course and have the players remain in the tunnel rather than on the sidelines as originally intended, which was the topic of an emotional team meeting the following day. During that meeting, sources said, Brown expressed his displeasure with how Roethlisberger and others handled the matter, and there was some lingering resentment through the week.

Sources said Brown has felt strongly the urge to kneel in protest during the anthem, but the Steelers have been in unison standing or remaining off the field during the playing of it.”

Roethlisberger and Brown appeared to be back on the same page Sunday against Jacksonville, as they teamed up for 10 completions that went for 157 yards. And La Canfora wrote that the issue isn’t expected to flare up again. 

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Still, it’s not a good sign when two of a team’s key players are reportedly at odds with each other, even as it adds a little more context to an incident that seemed out of character for Brown. 

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger drops back to pass against the Jaguars in the second quarter Sunday at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger threw five interceptions in the game, with two being returned for touchdowns. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Ed Bouchette
'Maybe I don't have it anymore': Ben Roethlisberger after Steelers' 30-9 loss

Adam Bittner: abittner@post-gazette.com and Twitter @fugimaster24.

First Published: October 8, 2017, 8:50 p.m.

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Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and receiver Antonio Brown were reportedly at odds over the decision to stay off the field for the national anthem before the loss at Chicago.  (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette
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