PITTSBURGH — Drama was in short supply in the second half of the Steelers' 52-21 blowout of the Panthers on Thursday night.
But tempers flared near the end of the third quarter when Carolina safety Eric Reid dove at Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as he went to the ground at the end of an 18-yard run for a first down.
The Heinz Field crowd erupted, and Big Ben's linemen swarmed Reid, who was quickly ejected by officials.
However, after the game, Roethlisberger said Reid was apologetic. Asked what he said, Big Ben replied: “'Sorry. Didn’t mean it.’ No intent there.”
Panthers coach Ron Rivera didn't agree with the officiating crew's decision to toss Reid.
"I don't think he hit him hard enough to eject him," said Rivera.
"You saw Ben Roethlisberger's reaction, as well. So, it led me to believe that he didn't hit Ben as hard as I think they thought he did."
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