What some fans may not have noticed on the live CBS broadcast, though, is the celebration that followed. Smith-Schuster appeared to taunt Vontaze Burfict by mimicking his massive hit from the Week 13 matchup between the Steelers and Bengals.
PATRIOTS VS. STEELERS: Live updates, highlights
Smith-Schuster’s crackback block on Burfict landed the Steelers rookie a one-game suspension, and he later apologized on Twitter, saying “I just wanted to throw a block for my teammate. I apologize for standing over him and that isn’t me.”
It’s an odd celebration choice if Smith-Schuster truly was sorry for the hit, and one that will not bring down the intensity level of the Steelers-Bengals rivalry. The AFC North rivals won’t see each other until next season, but it’s highly unlikely Burfict will soon forget about this.
