Bettis, Ward Criticize Steelers Culture

The Steelers dramatic ways have been a point of debate for Steelers fans and media for years. Now it has completely boiled over after the team’s failure to make the playoffs and soap opera-like offseason. Things have got so out of control even former Steelers legends can’t help but weigh in with their critiques.

In the middle of the 2018 season Rocky Bleier expressed that he was done with the franchise he won four Lomabrdi Trophies with during a losing streak. Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis did a recent “media car wash” of sorts, appearing on several national outlets to provide his reasons why such a talented team failed. Bettis made his feelings clear, saying the Steelers “imploded” with a championship caliber roster. But Hines Ward’s comments to Barstool Sports may sting the most for Steelers fans.

Ward said it’s embarrassing for him to see what’s happened to the Steelers. The two-time Super Bowl champion whose smile and toughness made him a fan favorite told Barstool Sports president and lifelong Boston sports fan Dave Portony, “The culture in Pittsburgh has changed a little bit” and that Bill Belichick would never put up with antics from star players like Mike Tomlin does, bringing up Tomlin’s failure to discipline Antonio Brown for going live on Facebook in the locker room following a playoff win a couple years ago.

Hines Ward calls the current Steelers culture “embarrassing”, praises the Patriots Way @BarstoolRadio pic.twitter.com/4gngzInxuN

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 30, 2019

Ward not only criticized his former coach, but also his former quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger. While praising Tom Brady for continuing to have success with less than stellar talent around him, Ward threw a subtle jab at Big Ben, mentioning how he couldn’t even get the Steelers into the playoffs with more talent around him.