Ben Roethlisberger Admits Calling Out Antonio Brown Over Interception ‘Ruined a Friendship’

Ben Roethlisberger has, again, touched on his strained relationship with former Pittsburgh Steelers teammate Antonio Brown.

In an interview with NBC Sports’ Michele Tafoya, Roethlisberger said that calling Brown out after their loss against the Denver Broncos last season, “ruined a friendship.”

“I wish I wouldn’t have done it,” the Steelers QB said. “I just got caught up in the emotion and heat of the battle.”

Brown has discussed their disconnect several times before, including on LeBron James’ The Shop in early March. During Brown’s appearance, he explained how Roethlisberger's overbearing and authoritative attitude drove them apart. Brown specifically cited when Roethlisberger told the media that his bad route is the reason he threw the late-game interception that led to their Week 12 loss against the Denver Broncos.

“That's the type of guy he is. He feels like he's the owner,” Brown said. “Bro, you threw this shit to the D-line. How the fuck am I going to run a better route? You need to give me a better ball.”

In May, during a radio interview, Roethlisberger offered a public apology. “I took some heat and deservedly so for some of the comments on that show and especially towards him,” he said. “I genuinely feel bad about that and I'm sorry… Did I go too far after that Denver game? Probably.”

While Roethlisberger tried to reconcile, Brown didn’t seem to accept the apology, tweeting, “Two face” on the day of the interview.