Ben Roethlisberger — the Pittsburgh Steelers’ injured starting quarterback — is at the center of the NFL’s latest media disaster.
During Thursday’s disappointing loss to the Baltimore Ravens, cameras caught Roethlisberger consulting a black, rectangular object on the sidelines.
The Steelers claim that it was only Big Ben’s play card, but the Internet seems to think it’s a cellphone, citing what appears to be a side-mounted volume button as evidence.
WATCH:
Big Ben on his cell phone on the sidelines? #cheaters @jerrythornton1 @stoolpresidente pic.twitter.com/IXQJVv7a6p
— Mount Mustache (@mountmustache) October 2, 2015
Camera 2 (WATCH):
The NFL prohibits any personnel from using cellular devices on the sidelines during games. In fact, former Steelers safety Troy Polamalu was fined $10,000 in 2012 for calling his wife from the sidelines after suffering a concussion during a game.
An NFL spokesman provided TheDC with the following statement in the incident:
After looking into the matter, our on-site representatives confirmed Roethlisberger was holding a black armband with a clear cover that contained the Steelers play sheet. It was not a cell phone.
[h/t: Pro Football Talk]