Former Steelers RB calls Ben Roethlisberger a ‘racist,’ later recants accusation
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been under siege this offseason by former players, specifically Antonio Brown, who are making unflattering remarks about the organization and specific players.
Former Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall has entered the fray — in alarming fashion — with a fiery social media rant in which he claimed, then later recanted, that Ben Roethlisberger is a “racist.”
Mendenhall, who played for the Steelers from 2008-2012, took to Twitter late Wednesday evening to launch a vehement defense of Brown in a diatribe that lasted well into early Thursday morning.
I know he seems outta pocket right now, but I seriously feel for @AB84.
— Rashard Mendenhall (@R_Mendenhall) April 11, 2019
As a black athlete in this country, you can literally lay your body out and give your entire being for a higher cause, the greater good of a TEAM.
— Rashard Mendenhall (@R_Mendenhall) April 11, 2019
And when you face the firing-squad, for something not entirely your own doing, depending on your position and skin-tone, the “team” may very-well leave your ass out to dry.
— Rashard Mendenhall (@R_Mendenhall) April 11, 2019
Think about what it would take to render @AB84, the GREATEST COMPETITOR of our generation, incapable of showing up to play in his last game.
— Rashard Mendenhall (@R_Mendenhall) April 11, 2019
To boil that down to @AB84 being a “diva” “selfish” “quitter” couldn’t possibly explain the MAN who for nearly a decade provided professional excellence to the city of Pittsburgh.
— Rashard Mendenhall (@R_Mendenhall) April 11, 2019
By no stretch am I saying @AB84’s been without guilt this off-season. I just hope to see more compassion and examination, for a guy who gave everything he had until he couldn’t bring himself to do it, for even one more game…
— Rashard Mendenhall (@R_Mendenhall) April 11, 2019
Alright, I’ll end the mystery… B’s racist and @AB84’s black. He had to catch balls from a racist quarterback. Every honest player knows it, it’s not a big deal. He was just supposed to take his lickings and move on, like a slave for real. https://t.co/ubI39UDauY
— Rashard Mendenhall (@R_Mendenhall) April 11, 2019
Mendenhall returned to Twitter hours later mid-morning Thursday to walk back the accusation that Roethlisberger is a “racist.”
Clearly it’s no fun, when EVERYONE’s the accused…
— Rashard Mendenhall (@R_Mendenhall) April 11, 2019
Please allow the dialogue in sports to be equal. Why’s it so easy to shoot at one player, but not the other?
B’s not racist. Just like AB’s not a dirtbag.#letsbefair
Roethlisberger has been plagued by rumors that he may not the best teammate at all times, but for Mendenhall to make such a charged and inflammatory accusation about his former teammate only to backtrack certainly leaves more questions answers.
