Ben Roethlisberger has apologized for some of the things he said about Antonio Brown.
The Steelers quarterback criticized Brown’s route running on his radio show after a Week 12 loss to the Broncos. Roethlisberger discussed his comments about Brown — who was traded to the Raiders this offseason — during an interview Monday with Pittsburgh station KDKA.
One on one with #Steelers QB @_BigBen7 who addresses the Antonio Brown off season drama, criticism of his leadership, his new contract, and future of his radio show. @KDKA Exclusive. Tomorrow #KDKA News at 6 and 11 pic.twitter.com/rug2suL0M8
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) May 20, 2019
"I took some heat and deservedly so for some of the comments on that show and especially towards him," Roethlisberger said about Brown, via 93.7 The Fan. "I genuinely feel bad about that and I'm sorry. Did I go too far after that Denver game? Probably.”
Brown was reportedly unhappy about Roethlisberger’s criticism and he eventually requested the Steelers move him in mid-February. The wide receiver was then sent to Oakland about one month later in exchange for two draft picks.
Roethlisberger and Brown played together in Pittsburgh from 2010-18.
"That's the thing about media and social media, as soon as you say 'sorry' it only goes so far,” Roethlisberger said. “You can't take it back. And I wish I could because if that's what ruined our friendship and relationship, I'm truly, genuinely sorry about that."
Brown, a seven-time Pro Bowl player, finished with 1,297 receiving yards and 15 touchdown catches in 15 games for the Steelers last season. He has scored 74 times in 130 career games.
"I bring accountability,” Brown said at his introductory press conference in Oakland in March. “I bring actions. Not what I say, what I do. How I approach things. Holding guys accountable in the receiver room.
"Pittsburgh will always be my family. Those guys gave me a chance when I was a 21-year-old kid. Obviously, people listen to the things that were being said and written, but at the end of the day, it's all about how you make people feel.”
Roethlisberger, meanwhile, signed a two-year, $68 million extension with the Steelers in the offseason.