Two days after various members of the Tennessee Titans defiled the Terrible Towel during a 17-point win over the Steelers, linebacker Keith Bulluck tried to downplay the significance of the incident during an appearance on Sirius NFL Radio.
And for good reason, given that the two teams could meet again, with a Super Bowl berth on the line.
Asked about the towel desecration by Adam Schein and John Riggins, hosts of The Sirius Blitz, Bulluck tried to explain that the apparent act of disrespect flowed from the Titans’ perception that they’re not respected.
“It was definitely no disrespect to the players on the Steelers or players from the past because the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Bulluck said, “they are one of the foundations of this league that we play in. So it’s definitely not like that but it definitely is, look, we’re a team that, we don’t get a lot of respect. We have the best record in football and we’ve been playing the same football all year round and people have been wondering, ‘How is this team doing it?’ In the playoffs they’re going to get to see.
“We were just excited. We were just happy. And I don’t care who we play, if they come with 15,000 fans and we happen to be the victors that day, yeah, I’ll probably stomp their towels, too.”
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin also appeared on the show, and he was more concise about the situation.
“Really, I don’t have any thoughts or comments regarding that,” Tomlin said. “It only becomes significant if we play them again. So, ask me again if that should happen here this season.”
Translation? If we play them again, the Steelers players will hear about it constantly.