Steelers' Website Makes Bold Conspiracy Claims; Belichick Says Patriots Dealt With Issues Too

The Steelers’ website certainly wasn’t backing down on the headset issues at last night’s game. Mike Tomlin was fired up after the game, and then the team website ran a game recap article that contains the following closing.

"This is the kind of stuff that happens to the visiting team in Gillette Stadium all the time. From the start of the game through the opening 14 minutes of the first quarter, the Steelers’ coaches’ headsets were receiving the Patriots Radio Network broadcast of the game. 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."

There seems to be some disagreement as to whether the Patriots’ headsets were actually shut down under the equity rule. The NFL also came out with a statement on the issues with the headsets at last night’s game.

"“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,” Signora said. “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.”"

Belichick maintained that headset issues were “a problem all game” and that they almost had to switch helmets. Then he provided a classic Belichick line: “it’s not really a very strong area for me–technology.”