This week marks the second week of Steelers 2020 training camp, and a fight has yet to be reported (c’mon guys, get on that!). Since we have nothing new to report on the scuffle front — at least until they put on pads on the 17th — let’s take a look back at some past camp rumbles.
Antonio Brown, Ike Taylor
During practice, there’s no other way to really prep for in-game matchups than team defense versus offense and vise versa.
Two players that were well-known for getting into it multiple times during camp were wide receiver Antonio Brown and cornerback Ike Taylor.
In 2013, the series of scuffles usually started and ended with a pass from Ben Roethlisberger. In one altercation, Brown and Taylor were wrestling for a pass in the end zone when AB was thrown to the ground. When Brown got up, he threw a punch at Taylor. When practice ended, Taylor went after Brown. It took multiple players and general manager Kevin Colbert to break up the brawl.
Though neither player spoke to the media after practice, head coach Mike Tomlin had said, “We’re competitors… those things happen.”
Bud Dupree, offensive line
As training camp started winding down in 2015, rookie Bud Dupree was fired up and took it out on the offensive line and even some of his own unit mates.
Rookies usually know their place and stay there, but not Dupree. When rushing the passer, he became engaged with offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum. Bud pushed Kelvin into other players where guard Ramon Foster shared some words with the rookie. When defensive lineman Cam Heyward and linebacker James Harrison intervened, Dupree became more combative.
During a drill a bit later in practice, Dupree was paired with offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert. Dupree smacked Gilbert, and a fracas ensued. Tomlin and linebackers coach Joey Porter came in to break up the fight. The second altercation prompted Tomlin to physically remove Dupree from the drill and, subsequently, from practice.
In typical Tomlin fashion, he reportedly responded, “It’s just football.”
Cam Heyward, Alejandro Villanueva
This most recent melee has to be the most comical of all. Apparently, Heyward and Villanueva had varying opinions on how the final season of “Game of Thrones” played out.
It’s none of the media’s business as to what causes fights at training camp and, for that reason, players keep fairly tight-lipped; so, it’s doubtful the medieval fantasy series was the real reason for the feud. Onlookers say that Big Al threw some hard hooks before the fight was finally broken up. Talk about passionate GOT fans.
“There’s no place for fighting in training camp. It’s childish and unprofessional for both of us,” Villanueva told the media. “Again, it’s just a very different opinion that he has of the show.”
