Ben Roethlisberger & Jerome Bettis Accuse Patriots Of Cheating In 2004 AFC Title Game

Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis revived the debate this week. The subject was brought up when Bettis recounted his first feelings after then-rookie Roethlisberger pledged during the dying seconds of Pittsburgh’s 2004 title game defeat to New England that if he didn’t retire, he would get Bettis to the following year’s Super Bowl.

Ben Roethlisberger & Jerome Bettis Accuse Patriots Of Cheating In 2004 AFC Title Game

On Roethlisberger’s “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger” podcast, the Steelers legends claimed that the Patriots cheated in the 2004 AFC Championship Game, a 41-27 Patriots triumph that followed their ultimate 24-21 win over the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX.

“If your ass hadn’t thrown two interceptions, we’d be in the Super Bowl!,” Bettis recalled while laughing during his appearance on Roethlisberger’s podcast.

“To be fair, the Patriots cheated,” Roethlisberger said in return.

“For sure they did,” Bettis said. “There’s not even a question in my mind.”

Bettis then gave an example of suspected Patriots cheating. It happened on a crucial fourth-and-1 play with the Patriots leading 3-0 in the first quarter. Bettis stated that the Patriots called a timeout after seeing the Steelers’ hand gesture from their sideline on third down. Bettis stated that the Patriots understood the signal, which was a counter run.

Bettis saw that after the timeout, nose tackle Ted Washington returned to the Patriots’ bench, adding to his opinion that New England was aware of Pittsburgh’s signals.

“Who normally goes to the sideline on a timeout? The defensive tackles right? They told the nose guard, Washington, they pulled him to the sideline,” Bettis said. “Big 400-pound guy, he doesn’t wanna go the sideline and go all the way back. What does he want to go to the sideline for? They’re yelling, making him go the sideline and come back.

“Then, we run the play, he loops into the hole, Washington does, they stop us on fourth down. That’s a critical play in the game. They had our signs, and they called a timeout to get them ready for that play because they knew it was coming. No question in my mind. I remember vividly, I thought, ‘Why is this big dude going

The Steelers subsequently attempted a counterattack, but the nose guard in question hooked him into the hole to make the stop. Bettis fumbled on the play, but it didn’t matter because he didn’t gain any ground.

Bettis called the nose guard Washington, perhaps in reference to former Patriot Ty Washington, but he wasn’t on the club that year.

The tackle on the play was made by Patriots linebacker Roosevelt Colvin.

On the next play, Tom Brady connected with Deion Branch for a 60-yard touchdown, putting New England up 10-0.

https://twitter.com/patriotsFa85099/status/1706708326610796949

Due to their questionable behaviour throughout the years, the Patriots have not earned the benefit of the doubt, leaving Roethlisberger and Bettis irritated 19 years later.

 

 

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