Heading into Sunday’s AFC Championship game, the four-time Super Bowl champs and No. 1 seed in the conference have been dealing with questions about Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin calling them “assholes." (Thanks, Antonio Brown.) You know, just the kind of things you want to answer before the biggest game of the year.
It was just a little trash talking on Tomlin's part, the kind has been rampant in the game for decades, and obviously it wasn’t supposed to be broadcast for all to see. Players from Deion Sanders to Richard Sherman have incorporated their own brand of trash talk to either hype up their squad or intimidate opponents and gain a psychological advantage over the years during the playoffs.
So while Tomlin calling the Patriots “assholes” was kind of funny, we’ve definitely heard better trash talk throughout the NFL's Super Bowl era. Here are some of the best (and worst) trash talking moments in NFL playoff history.
Joe Namath guarantees a Super Bowl victory.
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Year: 1969
Matchup: Jets vs. Colts, Super Bowl III
Three days prior to Super Bowl III, Namath made an appearance at a Miami club. After the Jets QB was heckled by a Colts fan at the function, a brash Broadway Joe shot back, “We’re going to win. I guarantee it.” And the rest is history. The Jets pulled off one of the biggest upsets in professional sports history by defeating the Colts, who were favored by 18 points. Namath completed 17-of-28 passes for 206 yards, earning him Super Bowl MVP honors.
Ray Buchanan called Shannon Sharpe "Mr. Ed."
Jerramy Stevens loses the Super Bowl XL war of words.
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Year: 2006
Matchup: Steelers vs. Seahawks, Super Bowl XL
Jerramy Stevens broke a cardinal rule of big games and gave the Steelers bulletin board material stating “the Story of Jerome Bettis returning to his hometown is heartwarming, but it's going to be a sad day when he doesn’t walk away with that trophy.” He also stated that Joey Porter would have a difficult time whenever he would battle Seahawks All-Pro tackle Walter Jones. This would lead to a war of words between Stevens and Porter throughout Super Bowl week. The Steelers ended up victorious, winning 21-10 as Stevens choked in the Super Bowl dropping four crucial passes.
Freddie Mitchell dissed the New England secondary.
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Year: 2005
Game: Eagles vs. Patriots, Super Bowl XXXIX
Prior to Super Bowl XXXIX, Freddie Mitchell pretended to not remember any of the defenders of the Patriots, then suddenly recalled Rodney Harrison, saying he had “something for him.” The Patriots secondary would hold Mitchell to one catch for 11 yards, and Harrison had the last laugh, finishing with two interceptions (one being the game-sealing pick) and a sack to help New England win 24-21. Bill Belichick followed up the Super Bowl victory during a press conference stating, “He’s (Freddy Mitchell) terrible, and you can print that. I was happy when he was in the game.”
Plaxico said the Patriots would only score 17.
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Year: 2008
Matchup: Patriots vs. Giants, Super Bowl XLII
After hearing Plaxico Burress’ prediction that the Patriots would only score 17 points in Super Bowl XLII, Tom Brady chuckled saying, “We’re only going to score 17 points? OK. Is Plax playing defense? I wish he had said 45-42 and gave us a little credit for scoring more points.” Brady’s arrogance fueled the Giants defense that sacked Brady five times and held the high power undefeated Patriots offense to only 14 points. To make matters worse, the game winning touchdown was caught by Plaxico Burress, as the Giants won 17-14.
Matt Hasselbeck had to open his mouth.
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Year: 2004
Matchup: Seahawks vs. Packers, Wild Card Weekend
At the end of regulation of their 2004 NFC Wild Card game, the Seahawks and Packers were tied 27-27. After winning the overtime coin toss, QB Matt Hasselbeck enthusiastically said, “We want the ball and we’re going to score!” A drive later, Hasselbeck was on the turf, after face-planting, trying to stop Al Harris who returned an interception to the house for a game-winning touchdown.
Terry Bradshaw supposedly couldn't spell "Cat" but could spell Super Bowl XIII MVP.
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Year: 1979
Matchup: Steelers vs. Cowboys, Super Bowl XIII
Holding court before Super Bowl XIII, Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson, arguably one of the best linebackers of the 70’s, questioned Terry Bradshaw’s intelligence saying, “He couldn’t spell ‘cat’ if you spotted him the c and the a.” Bradshaw would respond by winning his third Super Bowl, completing 17-of-30 passes and four touchdowns in the 35-31 win, capping the Steelers dynasty as the team of the 70’s. After the game Henderson told reporters, “I didn’t say he couldn’t play, just that he couldn’t spell.”
When the Hammer felt the wrath.
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Year: 1967
Matchup: Packers vs. Chiefs, Super Bowl I
Fred Williamson earned the nickname “the Hammer” because he used his forearm to deliver karate-style blows to the head of opposing players. Before Super Bowl I, Williamson boasted that he would knockout both Green Bay Packers’ starting receivers stating “Two hammers to Dowler, one to Dale should be be enough.” His prediction turned out to be ironic because Green Bay “broke the Hammer” as Williamson himself got knocked cold by running back Donnie Anderson and was taken off the field on a stretcher, leading to a career in B-movies.
