Steelers' Antonio Brown penalized for use of goalpost after TD

ByJeremy Fowler ESPN logo
Monday, December 7, 2015

PITTSBURGH -- When the flip's not enough, try the goalpost straddle.

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Antonio Brown received an unsportsmanlike penalty for "using the goalpost as a prop" -- yes, those were the actual words of the official --late in his team's 45-10 win over the Colts.

After crossing the goal line, Brown jogged toward the goalpost and jumped onto the post's padding with his arms and legs outstretched, slamming his midsection into the pad.

Brown had the football in his left hand and had trouble holding onto the post, so he fell and landed on his back. Brown told NBC after the game, with a smile, that he has to be smarter, but you have to have fun.

"I was full of excitement," he said. "I tried to stick it at the goalpost, and it just didn't work out."

Brown's celebration came after a 71-yard punt return -- his third score of the night -- with 4:01 left. Teammates mobbed him after the play.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was among many Steelers laughing at the moment, saying "it was slippier than he thought."

"AB is silly," Roethlisberger said. "I just don't want him to get hurt. He said he was trying to stick it."

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was less enthused after the game when told of what drew the penalty.

"I didn't see it," Tomlin said. "But I'm sure we'll rehash it and rehash it a thousand times in the next six days and suck all the life out of it."

Brown perfectly landed a front flip after a long touchdown againstOaklandin Week 9.

"He didn't do a very good job," Roethlisberger said of Sunday's effort. "So I just didn't want him to get hurt. He's fine, so we're happy."

Brown, who caught eight of his 11 targets for 118 yards, said he wanted to put on a show for his kids, who were in attendance. He added that he didn't know what his next touchdown celebration will be.

"Until next time, all you get is a smile," Brown said.

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