Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward was fined $11,593 for taunting Josh Allen after a Buffalo Bills touchdown last week, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Heyward, who was also penalized following the third-quarter score, told reporters postgame that Allen purposefully kneed him in the stomach in the first half of the Steelers’ 26-7 defeat, their third loss in their past four games.
Advertisement
The five-time All-Pro defensive tackle was seen jawing with the reigning NFL MVP throughout the game. Heyward came up to Allen and banged into the quarterback’s face mask with more words in the aftermath of Allen’s 1-yard touchdown pass to receiver Keon Coleman that put the Bills up two scores.
“Being kneed in my stomach?” Heyward responded, when asked in the locker room about his frustration toward Allen during the AFC tilt. “And then just jawing back and forth. I’m ticked off the entire game because, as a quarterback, they’re protected, but I’m not. It just pisses me off.”
A reporter then asked to clarify that it was Allen who kneed Heyward.
Advertisement
“Yes,” Heyward said. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
Asked if Allen did it on purpose, Heyward said “yes” again.
“He even said after, ‘I had to do something to get you off of me,'” Heyward added.
The incident appeared to occur late in the second quarter, when Heyward tried to get up after tackling Allen on a short run.
[Get more Steelers news: Pittsburgh team feed]
While the CBS broadcast didn’t seem to capture the alleged kneeing, Heyward was visibly upset after the play.
Heyward’s postgame comments took place after Allen had already talked to the media. That said, Allen was asked about the tension during the game, including with Heyward.
Advertisement
“Maybe [got me going] a little bit,” Allen said, via ESPN. “We love the competitiveness out of this game. He’s such a great player. Sometimes, you need fire like that to get you going.”
