Morning sports update: Brandon Browner posted a rant on the Patriots benching Malcolm Butler
The Patriots lost a heartbreaking decision to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII, and there’s plenty of fallout to cover, including Bill Belichick’s decision to bench Malcolm Butler and what happens next.
Former Patriots cornerback Brandon Browner did not agree with Bill Belichick’s decision to bench Malcolm Butler in Super Bowl LII.
In a succession of expletive-laden Instagram posts Sunday night, Browner ripped the New England head coach for leaving the hero of Super Bowl XLIX on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Man, Bill wasn’t right at all tonight. I didn’t know how to feel watching that [expletive] without my homie playing, without Malcolm playing,” Browner said in a video he shared.
“That dude done started every game for that team, you feel me, since he picked the [expletive] ball off,” Browner said. “You play every game of the season but the Super Bowl. You feel me? I can’t rock with that. That was a [expletive] call. That was a [expletive] decision. That was a power trip. You divide the locker room when you do that. .. They deserve that [loss] for not playing Malcolm.”
Watch: Belichick on Malcolm Butler—”We put the best players out there that we thought would be the best tonight.”
Browner was a Patriot when Butler picked off Russell Wilson at the goal-line to seal Belichick’s fifth Super Bowl title as the New England head coach.
“A locker room was divided pre game, most yds ever given in up in a SB game, and your best defender over the past 3 seasons,” Browner wrote in the caption. “Doesn’t get a snap. You where hurt/burnt where he was needed tonight.. #foolishpride.”
Malcolm Butler says the Patriots ‘gave up’ on him:
Butler didn’t take a single defensive snap for the Patriots on Sunday, and vented his frustration to ESPN after the game. “They gave up on me,” he told ESPN in response to the New England’s decision to sideline him. “F—. It is what it is.” Following New England’s 41-33 loss to Philadelphia, Belichick maintained Butler’s lack of playing time was strictly football and not a disciplinary action. (Read more)
Josh McDaniels wouldn’t say whether he’s going to the Colts or staying with the Patriots: McDaniels was reportedly headed to Indianapolis after the Super Bowl to become the new Colts head coach, but his status is unclear after he refused to address the situation postgame. (Read more)
Rob Gronkowski wouldn’t commit to returning to play in 2018: Gronkowski wouldn’t give a firm indication about what his plans are for the upcoming season following New England’s loss. A reporter asked, “Gronk, there was a report before the game that you could potentially retire, was there any accuracy to that?” Gronkowski responded, “I don’t know how you heard that.” (Read more)
Why Zach Ertz’s Super Bowl-winning touchdown catch wasn’t overturned: Zach Ertz’s 11-yard touchdown catch late in the fourth quarter gave the Eagles the lead for good, but Ertz lost control of the ball in the end zone. After review, the officials confirmed that the touchdown stood as called. The play was similar to a touchdown scored by the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Jesse James against the Patriots during the regular season, but Ertz’s catch had a crucial difference. (Read more)
5 takeaways from the Patriots’ loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LII
Chad Finn: It just never quite felt like the Patriots’ night
Highlight of the night:
Fourth down, #SBLII, Doug Pederson calls this play.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/UZU6hNQnkA
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) February 5, 2018
