The show at Gillette Stadium Thursday night didn’t end after the New England Patriots’ long, in-your-face Super Bowl XLIX championship banner unveiling that featured T-Pain singing “All I Do Is Win.” There was a game that followed and - you guessed it - another controversy.
During the game, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady put on an efficient offensive show, going 25 for 32 attempts, with 288 yards passing and four touchdowns, leading the Pats to a 28-21 win. Tight end Rob Gronkowski caught three of those touchdowns, while a fourth went to Brady’s other tight end, Scott Chandler. Wide Receiver Julian Edelman was the top receiver on the night with 11 receptions for 97 years.
The Steelers were also efficient, but failed to capitalize on key opportunities during the first half. Ben Roethlisberger finished had 26 of 38 passes caught, with 351 yards passing, a touchdown and an interception. Their top receiver was Antonio Brown, who caught nine receptions for 133 yards.
While the game itself was entertaining, there was an issue with communication on the field. Apparently, the Steelers coaches were receiving the Patriots’ radio broadcast during the first half, interrupting communication between coaches. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was visibly angry with the situation after the game, insisting this regularly happens in New England, notes ESPN.
“That's always the case. Yes. I said what I said,” Tomlin said.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said that there was also a problem on his sideline. He also said that it is a regular problem.
“We had a lot of problems,” he said. “We had to switch headphones a couple of times. The communication system wasn't very good. We deal with that, it seems, weekly.” Belichick added that it was a problem the entire game, not just the first half.
The NFL later issued a statement, which noted that the communications equipment is provided by the league.
"In the first quarter of tonight's game, the Pittsburgh coaches experienced interference in their headsets caused by a stadium power infrastructure issue, which was exacerbated by the inclement weather," the statement reads. "The coaches' communications equipment, including the headsets, is provided by the NFL for both clubs' use on game day. Once the power issue was addressed, the equipment functioned properly with no additional issues.”
above image courtesy of Elder Ordonez/INFphoto.com