Steelers Release Blount After Leaving Game Early
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh Steelers have released running back LeGarrette Blount stemming from an incident during Monday night's win over the Titans.
According to our news partners at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, LeGarrette Blount walked off the field before the game had finished.
His reasoning appears to be frustration over not getting a single carry against the Titans.
The Steelers confirmed the release via their official Twitter account.
"We believe the decision to release LeGarrette is in the best interest of the organization and wish him the best of luck," Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement.
Center Maurkice Pouncey had some harsh parting words for Blount.
According to KDKA-TV's Rich Walsh, Pouncey said Blount's release was a blessing.
"We don't need guys like that on this team," Pouncey said.
Last night, NewsRadio 1020 KDKA's Jeff Hathhorn confirmed to 93-7 The Fan that Blount had left the field early.
"When the Steelers came off the field, we're able to see them go in the ramp and into the locker room itself. After the last player had gone in, all of a sudden LeGarrette walks out fully dressed – street clothes dressed. So, you know he had to have left early because there's no way he's changing that quickly."
Blount apparently even left before Tomlin's post game speech and had to be convinced to return to the locker room.
"He started to walk where the buses are. Joey Porter walks out and starts talking to him in a soft voice. It wasn't loud or anything and just convinces him to come back into the room for Mike Tomlin's post game speech. By the time we were allowed back in, LeGarrette was gone."
Today, Ben Roethlisberger addressed the issue during the weekly "#1 Cochran Ben Roethlisberger Show" on Sportsradio 93.7 The Fan.
"It will be tough if it was just for pure selfishness and he was just upset about not getting the ball or whatever and walked out because he is a new player to our team," Roethlisberger said. "If it was a guy who has been here for a while and we know and it was just a lapse in judgment and he was upset about something, I think it would be easier to look past. But, it will be tough if it was just for pure selfishness reason because that is not what the Pittsburgh Steelers are. It's not what we are about, but like I said, I don't know anything about that yet so I'm not going to judge right now."
Ramon Foster joined "The Fan Morning Show" Tuesday and addressed Blount's actions. While he said Blount is a good teammate, it doesn't excuse what he did.
"You've got to be all-in for the team," Foster said. "But, whatever happened last night, we can't have that type of thing. For whatever reason, you can't bring negativity to the team."
Blount dressed for all 11 games this season. He rushed for 266 yards on 65 carries and scored two touchdowns.
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