One of his players compared Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin to Osama bin Laden in a shocking social media post.
Five days before their Week 7 game against 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 quarterback Justin Fields appeared to like amid reports that 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 criticism of Tomlin ahead of his rumored decision to start Russell Wilson over 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.
One of his players compared Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin to Osama bin Laden.
Steelers safety DeShon Elliott shared this meme of Tomlin’s face on Bin Laden’s head
Someone wrote on X about Elliott’s post: ‘What the hell.’
Another predicted: “Unfortunately, Tomlin will not tolerate this.”
A third refused to believe it and said: ‘there’s no way he did this.’
“Oh it’s f***ing finished,” a fourth posted.
A fifth commented: ‘That’s not funny…’
Before another user replied: ‘Especially not because it’s the Jets…..and NEW YORK still hurts.’
Elliott has played in all six of the Steelers’ games this season, recording one interception and 27 solo tackles.
It remains to be seen what his intention was in sharing the meme and how Tomlin will react before Sunday’s game against the Jets.
Pittsburgh’s coach’s radical change at the quarterback position was revealed earlier this week as they prepare to make the trip to New York.
He also included this caption on Instagram to spark outrage and confusion among fans.
Elliott has played in all six of the Steelers’ games so far this season, recording 27 solo tackles.
Some think her ‘Osama bin Tomlin’ meme was about her rumored decision to leave Justin Fields
Tomlin will reportedly give Wilson, 35, a chance against the 2-4 Jets as the veteran nears his return from injury, according to Tom Pelissero.
The Steelers intend to give the veteran first-team reps in practice this week, setting up a possible season debut and start this weekend, the report added.
Wilson has yet to line up in a competitive game for the Steelers seven months after signing a one-year deal in Pittsburgh for the veteran’s minimum of $1.2 million.