The NFL started off the season with a win for the Patriots against the Steelers, but it was not without some controversy, as Pittsburgh complained after the game that their headsets and communications systems were malfunctioning at Gillette Stadium.
Mike Tomlin was asked about the issues after the game and he said that it was "always the case" when the team plays at the stadium. Tomlin was asked repeatedly about the issues and later Bill Belichick also was asked about the communication issues. According to Pro Football Talk, Belichick said that the Patriots also dealt with some issues regarding their headsets during the game.
The Steelers reportedly were receiving the Patriots radio broadcast on some of their headsets during the game. Pro Football Talk reports that the NFL will "review" the situation and they also stated that it was not the Patriots who delivered the headsets to the Steelers. According to PFT, the league released a statement and said that the headsets and communications gear is "provided by the NFL for both clubs use on game day."
There also was another issue after the game, as Adam Schefter at ESPN reported that Steelers tight ends coach James Daniel is being investigated for an alleged assault on a Patriots fan. Schefter reports that the NFL security department is "investigating" Daniel after he reportedly "assaulted" and was "verbally accosting" a fan while going to the Steelers locker room. The report says that "Daniel kicked the fan in the back of the leg and yelled at him" and that there were witnesses to the incident.
Check here for more on the headsets or more on the league looking into the assault.
Per ESPN, Adam Schefter: Steelers Spokesman Burt Lauten released a statement: "We have provided information to NFL representatives regarding issues that occurred Thursday night at Gillette Stadium with our coach-to-coach headset communications system. The problem was addressed during the game and we did not have further problems in the second half. We did not file a formal complaint, nor do we plan to do so."
