Why does this always happen with the Patriots? Pittsburgh Steelers cry foul after their headsets go out during game against New England but NFL takes the blame
- The Pittsburgh Steelers had trouble with their headsets throughout the first half of their game against the New England Patriots on Thursday night
- The team was reportedly picking up the Patriots' radio broadcast for most of the first half during Thursday's game
- Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said multiple times following the game that headset problems are 'always the case' when playing the Patriots
- Patriots coach Bill Belichick said they too had headset problems in the first half, saying 'the communication system wasn't very good'
- The NFL later said they had provided the headsets to the two teams, and that weather and a power problem in the stadium caused the issue
- The Patriots defeated the Steelers 28 - 21 in the game, with Brady breaking the NFL record for most wins with one team
The Pittsburgh Steelers explained the headset problems they were facing during the first half of Thursday night's opening night football game against the New England Patriots.
Following their 21 - 28 loss to the Super Bowl champions, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told reporters that problems with headsets are 'always the case' when playing at Gillette Stadium.
That statement comes just two days after a damning report detailed claims from other teams that the Patriots would allegedly jam their headset frequencies or even block communication so coaches were unable to coordinate plays on the field.
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Trouble: The Pittsburgh Steelers (Coach Mike Tomlin above) had trouble with their headsets throughout the first half of their game against the New England Patriots on Thursday night
Victory: The Patriots defeated the Steelers 28 - 21 in the game, with Tom Brady (above) breaking the NFL record for most wins with one team
When Tomlin was asked again about his statement that he always had headset problems playing the Patriots after the game, he said; 'That's always the case. Yes. I said what I said.'
The Steelers were reportedly picking up the Patriots' radio broadcast for most of the first half during Thursday's game.
According to the Steelers website; 'The broadcast was so loud that the Steelers coaches were unable to communicate, and the NFL rule is that if one team’s headsets are not working the other team is supposed to be forced to take their headsets off. It’s what the NFL calls the Equity Rule.
'Strangely enough, whenever an NFL representative proceeded to the New England sideline to shut down their headsets, the Steelers headsets cleared.
'Then as the representative walked away from the New England sideline, the Steelers’ headsets again started to receive the Patriots game broadcast.'
Tomlin - who himself came under fire in 2013 after it appeared he had tried to trip Jacoby Jones of the Baltimore Ravens during a kickoff return - said the situation was 'eventually' resolved for him and the team.
Same deal: Patriots coach Bill Belichick (above shaking Tomlin's hand after the game) said they too had headset problems in the first half, saying 'the communication system wasn't very good'
Patriots coach Bill Belichick said after the game they too were having problems, telling reporters; 'We had a lot of problems. We had to switch headphones a couple of times. The communication system wasn't very good. We deal with that, it seems, weekly.'
The Patriots caught a break almost immediately after the game however when the NFL released a statement taking full blame for the problems with the headsets, and explaining what happened.
NFL spokesperson Michael Signora said in a statement; 'In the first quarter of tonight’s game, the Pittsburgh coaches experienced interference in their headsets caused by a stadium power infrastructure issue, which was exacerbated by the inclement weather.
'The coaches’ communications equipment, including the headsets, is provided by the NFL for both clubs use on game day. Once the power issue was addressed, the equipment functioned properly with no additional issues.'
The headset problems aside, it was a big night for the Patriots, as their new Super Bowl banner was unveiled and their four Lombardi trophies carried out on to the field before the game.
Brady - playing exactly one week after his four game suspension was overturned by a federal judge - completed a franchise record 19 consecutive passes while also breaking the NFL record for most wins with one team, with his 161 victories putting him just past Brett Favre.
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