During Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Wild Card round this winter, Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict delivered a devastating hit on Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown.
Vontaze Burfict says he wishes he could take back this Antonio Brown hit & says “I probably would’ve hit him low” pic.twitter.com/HFU5hgmHM1
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) February 23, 2016
Burfict and teammate Adam “Pacman“ Jones initially felt Brown was faking the extent of his injury, and Jones wasn’t shy about letting his feelings be known.
However, the hit ultimately forced Brown to sit out Pittsburgh’s subsequent AFC Divisional round matchup with the Denver Broncos. Upon hearing the news, Jones did the right thing and immediately released a video apologizing for his statement.
For what it’s worth. Adam Jones @REALPACMAN24 issues his apology to Antonio Brown @AntonioBrown84. #Steelers https://t.co/MvESnSvUwJ
— Blitzburgh (@Steel_Curtain4) January 15, 2016
But this saga clearly isn’t over, as the two teams are hated AFC North rivals. Recently, Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams had some choice words for Burfict and the Bengals.
“For me, my rival throughout my year will be the Cincinnati Bengals,” Williams told ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler on Wednesday. “I don’t think there was any doubt in my mind if AB was not interfered on or hit the way he was hit, however you want to label it—there’s no doubt we go on and give the Broncos hell.”
Burfict responded to Williams via Twitter, and the two exchanged a few jabs.
@DeAngeloRB u didn’t even play nor help yo team and I’m happy to still b in y’all heads 4 months later #gethealthy✌🏾 https://t.co/o5Hg1RxkeD
— Vontaze Burfict (@King55Tez) April 6, 2016
I’m just happy you unblocked your Twitter account what are you doing when u not costing your team games👀🤔 https://t.co/qVRfx7NAIE
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB) April 6, 2016
Burfict deleted this tweet for some reason,
Not a great come back I’ll teach u how to keep my name out mouth tho remember I have to tackle you 👀👀👀🤕 https://t.co/K0vY4izHLJ
— Vontaze Burfict (@King55Tez) April 6, 2016
He went on to add,
Ohh my bad @L_Bell26 is way better than you @DeAngeloRB why am I talking shit to a back up let me stop ❌❌
— Vontaze Burfict (@King55Tez) April 6, 2016
Burfict will miss Cincinnati’s first three games in 2016, as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell slapped him with a suspension for a number of dirty plays, including the Brown hit.
Stay tuned to this rivalry in 2016, folks. It’s bound to be laden with an abundance of entertaining tomfoolery.