Steelers star sparks outrage with Osama bin Laden and Mike Tomlin meme ahead of New York trip
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has been compared to Osama bin Laden by one of his players in a shocking social media post.
Five days after their Week 7 game at the New York Jets, Steelers safety DeShon Elliott has sparked outrage by sharing a meme of Tomlin’s face photoshopped onto Bin Laden’s head.
The Instagram post — which appeared to be liked by quarterback Justin Fields amid reports he will be benched for Sunday’s trip to New York — also included the caption: “osama bin tomlin.”
Fans were stunned when Elliott shared the meme, with some suggesting it was a dig at Tomlin ahead of his rumored Russell Wilson taking over for Fields at quarterback this weekend.
Others believe it was a more sinister reference to Sunday’s game in New York against the Jets, just over 23 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks orchestrated by Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is compared to Osama bin Laden by one of his players
Steelers safety DeShon Elliott shared this meme of Tomlin’s face on Bin Laden’s head
One wrote on X about Elliott’s post: ‘What the hell’.
Another predicted: ‘Unfortunately, Tomlin will not stand for this.’
A third refused to believe it, saying: ‘There’s no way he did this.’
“Oh he’s so ready,” a fourth posted.
A fifth said: ‘That’s not funny…’
Before another user replied, “Especially not since it’s the Jets… and NEW YORK is still hurting.”
Elliott has played in all six Steelers games this season and recorded one interception and 27 solo tackles.
It remains to be seen what his intention was behind sharing the meme, and how Tomlin will respond ahead of Sunday’s game against the Jets.
Earlier this week, the radical change in Pittsburgh’s quarterback coach was revealed as they prepare for the trip to New York.
He also posted this caption on Instagram to cause outrage and confusion among fans
Elliott has played in all six Steelers games so far this season and recorded 27 solo tackles
Some think his “Osama bin Tomlin” meme was about the rumored decision to drop Justin Fields
Tomlin will reportedly give Wilson, 35, a shot against the 2-4 Jets as the veteran nears his comeback from injury, according to Tom Pelissero.
The Steelers plan to give the veteran first-team reps in practice this week, line up a potential season debut and start this weekend, the report said.
Wilson has yet to appear in a competitive game for the Steelers, seven months after signing a one-year deal in Pittsburgh for the veteran’s $1.2 million minimum.