Former Steelers OC Bruce Arians reveals the shocking truth about Pittsburgh's home crowd during 'SNF'
The Pittsburgh Steelers were recently defeated at home on "Sunday Night Football" by the Green Bay Packers in a 35-25 loss that spiraled out of control in the second half. It particularly began when Packers quarterback Jordan Love completed 20 straight passes and humiliated the Steelers defense. Pittsburgh's unit had been seen as the strength of the team in recent years, but for back-to-back weeks, it allowed an opposing quarterback to throw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns against their secondary.
There was another issue throughout the game, however, that others within the media, analysts and former coaching circles caught that was not related to the performance of the teams on the field. On a recent episode of "Inside the NFL"
Bruce Arians angered by home environment during game
Arians had already made recent comments regarding Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers being forced to use a silent count at home, and he doubled down on these comments when he and Clark discussed the things that went wrong for the Steelers.
"The thing that upset me the most was that Aaron Rodgers had to use a silent count at Heinz Field," Arians stated bluntly. "That never has happened in the history of Heinz Field, that some other teams gonna take over the stadium and drown out the quarterback. That's just unheard of. I was shocked watching that on television."
Arians' comments about Rodgers being forced to use a silent count at home is one that stemmed from the poor play by the Steelers in the second half. The Packers fans who took over the stadium were never given a reason to quiet down, as the white-hot Packers offense marched down the field at will. Packers tight end Tucker Kraft, in particular, had 143 yards on seven receptions as the Steelers were unable to generate any kind of pressure or make impactful plays to swing momentum in their favor. Despite the strong first-half performance from the Steelers, having a 16-7 lead at the half, they were unable to keep up the pace.
The Packers put the game away as the Steelers could not keep up, giving the large number of Packers fans inside Acrisure Stadium many reasons to get excited, with many "Go Pack Go" chants echoing throughout the stadium as they watched their team put the game away at the end. However, the situation with the opposing Packers fans taking over the stadium is not something that is likely to happen with other Steelers games at home throughout the rest of the season.
Steelers home crowds will likely not experience this again
The Steelers fans who experienced the onslaught of Packers fans taking over Acrisure Stadium were motivated by a very particular reason. They were watching their former quarterback, the QB who led the Packers to Super Bowl XLV, play against them and have a chance at revenge. They wanted to watch Love outduel Rodgers and be proved right in their debates regarding whether or not they should have let Rodgers go when they did. Their intention was to make the atmosphere as hostile as possible for their former quarterback, and they succeeded.
Considering the Steelers will not be partaking in any other revenge games against a team's former franchise quarterback this season, the likelihood that Arians' remarks about Rodgers using a silent count at home being true again is very low. This should be good news for Steelers fans hoping to not see their home stadium taken over by opposing fans again this season, and hopefully, the majority of crowds in Acrisure Stadium will be Steelers fans again.
Aaron Judge Apologizes to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. After Fans Mock Emotional Loss
Aaron Judge, the star outfielder for the New York Yankees, has issued a public apology to
“I want to personally apologize to Vladimir,” Judge said in a heartfelt statement. “What happened last night was unacceptable. Fans get passionate, but there’s a line, and it was crossed. We need to support the players, not tear them down, especially after an emotional game. He’s an incredible player, and I have nothing but respect for him.”
The incident occurred as the Yankees celebrated their win, with some fans taunting Guerrero Jr. as he was seen visibly disappointed in the dugout. The emotional nature of the loss, combined with the high stakes of the game, led to an intense atmosphere, but Judge made it clear that mocking an opponent in that moment was out of bounds.
“Vladimir gave everything he had out there,” Judge continued. “He’s a competitor, and I know how much that game meant to him. Fans should be respecting that effort, not mocking it. It’s something that should never happen, and I’m sorry for the way some people acted.”
Guerrero Jr. has been a prominent figure in baseball for years, known for his power at the plate and leadership for the Blue Jays. While he has been a target of intense rivalry, Judge emphasized the need for mutual respect, regardless of team affiliations.
In response, Guerrero Jr. expressed gratitude for Judge's words, acknowledging the rivalry between the teams but also stressing the importance of sportsmanship. “I appreciate Aaron’s words,” Guerrero said. “I know the fans are passionate, and I’m just focused on getting better. It’s all part of the game, but I also believe in respect for each other as players.”
Judge's apology, while addressing the behavior of a small segment of the crowd, also serves as a reminder of the values of sportsmanship and mutual respect that should define any competition. The Yankees' captain has always prided himself on being a leader both on and off the field, and his response to this incident highlights the importance of upholding integrity in the game.
As the season progresses, Judge’s comments will likely be remembered as a sign of leadership and a call for more respect between players and fans. Both he and Guerrero Jr. will continue to battle it out on the field, but Judge’s gesture serves as a reminder that, beyond the rivalry, there’s always room for empathy and understanding.
