NFL puts an end to rumors of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger using a cell phone on the sideline

[stillers4me]

Rumors were swirling on social media this weekend about the video of Ben Roethlisberger looking at something in his sweatshirt pocket some thought was a cell phone.

In the aftermath of the Pittsburgh Steelers (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/pittsburgh-steelers)' 23-20 overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/baltimore-ravens?_ga=1.195683116.1487454843.1440617336) on Thursday Night Football, rumors swirled on social media accusing Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1630/ben-roethlisberger) of looking at a cell phone during the game. For those who haven't seen the video, it is below:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=22&v=LR0KZWdNvEM

Read more @ http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2015/10/5/9452705/nfl-puts-an-end-to-rumors-of-steelers-qb-ben-roethlisberger-using-a

[zulater]

This rumor was fueled by Profootballtalk and Patriot fans mainly. :upyours:

[fansince'76]

It's obviously a black arm band with a clear plastic cover when looking at the same footage in HD and not something on YouTube that some moron Patriots fan captured on their Android from their TV that looks as if it were recorded with a toaster, but even if it wasn't, so what? The Patriots can cheat with impunity, so why can't everyone else? :coffee:

The same footage with better resolution: http://zippy.gfycat.com/FluffyOrderlyHapuka.webm
(http://zippy.gfycat.com/FluffyOrderlyHapuka.webm)
And here's a still from said footage showing quite conclusively that it's an ARM BAND. iPhones don't BEND like that. http://www.steelersuniverse.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes2.gif

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/garyb12001/ArmBand_zpsbggszuhg.png (http://s211.photobucket.com/user/garyb12001/media/ArmBand_zpsbggszuhg.png.html)

[zulater]

It's obviously a black arm band with a clear plastic cover when looking at the same footage in HD and not something on YouTube that some moron Patriots fan captured on their Android from their TV that looks as if it were recorded with a toaster, but even if it wasn't, so what? The Patriots can cheat with impunity, so why can't everyone else? :coffee:

The same footage with better resolution: http://zippy.gfycat.com/FluffyOrderlyHapuka.webm
(http://zippy.gfycat.com/FluffyOrderlyHapuka.webm)
And here's a still from said footage showing quite conclusively that it's an ARM BAND. iPhones don't BEND like that. http://www.steelersuniverse.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes2.gif

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/garyb12001/ArmBand_zpsbggszuhg.png (http://s211.photobucket.com/user/garyb12001/media/ArmBand_zpsbggszuhg.png.html)

Yeah a stupid Pats fan started it, but a-hole Florio fanned the flames with his misinformation web site profootballtalk. He made it a front and center story.

[Mojouw]

Yeah a stupid Pats fan started it, but a-hole Florio fanned the flames with his misinformation web site profootballtalk. He made it a front and center story.

I bet Florio and the crew had the hottest of takes on the whole situation as well.

/Off to check comments @ PFT.

Yep. That was a horror show.

[tube517]

It's obviously a black arm band with a clear plastic cover when looking at the same footage in HD and not something on YouTube that some moron Patriots fan captured on their Android from their TV that looks as if it were recorded with a toaster, but even if it wasn't, so what? The Patriots can cheat with impunity, so why can't everyone else? :coffee:

The same footage with better resolution: http://zippy.gfycat.com/FluffyOrderlyHapuka.webm
(http://zippy.gfycat.com/FluffyOrderlyHapuka.webm)
And here's a still from said footage showing quite conclusively that it's an ARM BAND. iPhones don't BEND like that. http://www.steelersuniverse.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes2.gif

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb136/garyb12001/ArmBand_zpsbggszuhg.png (http://s211.photobucket.com/user/garyb12001/media/ArmBand_zpsbggszuhg.png.html)

http://i.imgur.com/JY1yUWyl.jpg Suspend Ben now! "BENd-gate" :lol:

[zulater]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/10/02/nfl-investigated-possibility-roethlisberger-was-using-cell-phone/o

Here's the b.s.story Florio posted Oct 2 on his site.

[SteelerFanInStl]

The article was deleted from PFT.

[TeeTee]

I have to admit: When I saw it I thought he was reading and texting from cell. Look at where his thumbs were; exact position they'd be for texting. I honestly figured it was a text from his wife, telling him to pick up some pampers on the way home. Even if it were a text, I figured it was just innocent but did wonder if it was allowed.

[tube517]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/10/02/nfl-investigated-possibility-roethlisberger-was-using-cell-phone/o

Here's the b.s.story Florio posted Oct 2 on his site.

Delete the "o" from Zu's link and it's still active

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/10/02/nfl-investigated-possibility-roethlisberger-was-using-cell-phone/

[SteelerFanInStl]

Wow, there's a whole lot of stupid in those comments.

[86WARD]

I feel like Ben looking around like he's suspicious was to troll the media...lol. But then how would he know he was on camera...

[smokin3000gt]

I feel like Ben looking around like he's suspicious was to troll the media...lol. But then how would he know he was on camera...


He was probably looking for patriot* staffers.

[Count Steeler]

Let's see the evidence that clears The Brady Bunch. Yeah, didn't think so.

Much ado about nothing and a fine statement on the value of sports journalism in our day. Florio being the ring leader.

[Shoes]

Terry Bradshaw is dead has to be one of Florio best.

[tube517]

http://www.theonion.com/article/mike-florio-loses-3-fingers-after-accident-while-w-51392

[Nadroj 20]

I have to admit: When I saw it I thought he was reading and texting from cell. Look at where his thumbs were; exact position they'd be for texting. I honestly figured it was a text from his wife, telling him to pick up some pampers on the way home. Even if it were a text, I figured it was just innocent but did wonder if it was allowed.

I saw it live and absolutely my first thought was what's Ben doing texting on the sideline??

That was my first thought and I seriously thought looking at it quickly it was a phone.

I didn't think any more about it though.

Now looking at the pictures and watching replays it's definitely an armband with plays written on it. But it's not crazy for someone to have thought it was a cellphone first glance.

[TeeTee]

I saw it live and absolutely my first thought was what's Ben doing texting on the sideline??

That was my first thought and I seriously thought looking at it quickly it was a phone.

I didn't think any more about it though.

Now looking at the pictures and watching replays it's definitely an armband with plays written on it. But it's not crazy for someone to have thought it was a cellphone first glance.

I don't think it's crazy at all; like we both said, we thought he was texting. My thoughts were simply: "Huh, Ben is texting during the game. I wonder if that's allowed or frowned on? Oh well, no big deal, it's probably his wife telling him to grab some things on the way home."

[teegre]

Floral just earned himself the Pete Prisco treatment.

Over at SF, when Pete Prisco posted some random "rumor", and we let him have it by flooding Google with #horserapist jokes. Within 24 hours, the first thing Google found for him was those jokes. Let's use dogs for Florio.

With no further ado...


Knock, knock
Who's there?
Mike
Mike who?
Mike Florio rapes dogs!!!

[teegre]

A dog walks into the bar and says: "I would like a gin... and tonic." The bartender replies, "Why the pause?" The dog replies, "I was born with them." Then, Mike Florio rapes the dog.

#mikefloriorapesdogs

[zulater]

I saw it live and absolutely my first thought was what's Ben doing texting on the sideline??

That was my first thought and I seriously thought looking at it quickly it was a phone.

I didn't think any more about it though.

Now looking at the pictures and watching replays it's definitely an armband with plays written on it. But it's not crazy for someone to have thought it was a cellphone first glance.

That's fine. You're just a Joe Fan.(no offense) If you assume wrong no big deal.

The thing is, Profootballtalk is in partnership with NBC. As a result Florio should do a little fact checking before reporting. Well actually he's not reporting, he's rumor mongering. And maybe that's ok in this day and age? Maybe Florio doesn't categorize himself as a reporter? Maybe he sees himself as a TMZ, Enquirer magazine type writer who just throws shit against the wall to see what sticks? If so he's doing a good job. but if he fancies himself a reporter, one that has some sort of legitimacy, then he sucks.

[Nadroj 20]

That's fine. You're just a Joe Fan.(no offense) If you assume wrong no big deal.

The thing is, Profootballtalk is in partnership with NBC. As a result Florio should do a little fact checking before reporting. Well actually he's not reporting, he's rumor mongering. And maybe that's ok in this day and age? Maybe Florio doesn't categorize himself as a reporter? Maybe he sees himself as a TMZ, Enquirer magazine type writer who just throws shit against the wall to see what sticks? If so he's doing a good job. but if he fancies himself a reporter, one that has some sort of legitimacy, then he sucks.

No offense taken, I know what you're saying. I agree that jumping to conclusions is a terrible way of reporting.

[Count Steeler]

Just ignore him. Like most other sports journalists. Not worth the wasted band width.

[teegre]

Just ignore him. Like most other sports journalists. Not worth the wasted band width.

I have tried to ignore Mike Florio, but he just follows me around everywhere I go.
Sincerely,
Lassie

[TeeTee]

No offense taken, I know what you're saying. I agree that jumping to conclusions is a terrible way of reporting.

Some would say jumping to conclusions isn't reporting at all, to begin with. As a matter of fact, no one should pursue a journalism degree, because there is very little journalism taking place in this country to begin with. Seeking the truth gets you fired. The only "stories" that get reported are ones that enrichen corporate coffers or follow govt. propaganda wishes.

[86WARD]

Florio just tries to get website hits...that's all. He doesn't give a shit if the stories are true or not.

[teegre]

Mike Florio went to the zoo to rape the animals. There was only one animal there; it was a shih tzu.

[BigNastyDefense]

Mike Florio is banned from adopting from the APL after being found raping a Doberman in the bathroom.

[teegre]

Mike Florio is banned from adopting from the APL after being found raping a Doberman in the bathroom.

:applaudit:


A man went to visit Mike Florio and was amazed to find Florio playing chess with a dog. The man watched the game in astonishment for a while. "I can hardly believe my eyes!" the man exclaimed. "That's the smartest dog I've ever seen."

"Nah, he's not so smart," Florio replied. "I've beaten him three games out of five... plus, I raped him."

[dduc996]

He was checking his Candy Crush score.