Ben Roethlisberger defends Pittsburgh Steelers team-mate Antonio Brown
Tuesday 1 January 2019 18:26, UK
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says there is no issue between himself and team-mate Antonio Brown.
If Brown "went off" on a team-mate, as reports indicated earlier this week, that is news to the 36-year-old quarterback.
"If there was a blowout, I certainly didn't see it," Roethlisberger said during a radio appearance with 'The Fan' in Pittsburgh.
It has been a controversial week for Brown, who sat out the Steelers' regular-season finale against the Cleveland Bengals.
The Steelers listed Brown as out with a knee injury but a source told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette he was not injured. The newspaper also reported Brown missed multiple practices and meetings before and after the contest.
Brown has three years remaining on a five-year, $72.7m contract extension that he signed before the 2017 campaign.
He has surpassed 100 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past six seasons, and this year caught 104 passes for 1,297 yards and a career-high 15 touchdowns.
"I hope he's back here with me because he makes me better," said Roethlisberger.
More questions will arrive on Wednesday when Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin addresses reporters.
"I'm blessed to play with him," said Roethlisberger. "I consider him one of my closer friends.
"Each guy has to answer that question [about welcoming him back to the locker room]. I know guys are frustrated, some of the guys I talked to, that they tried to reach out to him and didn't hear back."
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