ALTOONA, Pa. -- It's now been a week since Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool's infamous point.
In that week, it seems as nearly everybody has formulated one opinion or another and found themselves on talk radio to discuss how they felt about it. Steelers legend Mean Joe Greene did just that on CBS Radio's The Zach Gelb Show Wednesday night.
"It disappointed me, and I'm sure it disappointed a lot of guys that love the Pittsburgh Steelers and fans that love the Pittsburgh Steelers," Greene said of Claypool's gaffe.
There was more to the game than just Claypool as the game included a first half in which the Steelers got outscored 23-0 in the first two quarters. There was also allowing Dalvin Cook to rush over the defense to the tune of 153 yards in the first half.
"In all the years I've been watching my team, Thursday night, that first half was probably really the the saddest day I've had in all my years of playing and all of my years since my retirement of watching the Steelers play," Greene said. "That was a poor, poor example of the black and gold."
People forgot pretty quickly about that first half performance as Ben Roethlisberger and Co. marched back into the game in the second half. That was until Claypool's antics on the final Steeler drive of the game happened.
"Hey man, I thought you were more educated. Didn't you go to Notre Dame?" Greene said. "Why are you playing this game: for you to show your butt, or win the game? You made the play. Give the ball back to the official. The clock is ticking. You're costing your team valuable time."
Greene does have a few theories as to why Claypool would do such a thing and put his team in that position.
"That youthful exuberance, maybe it was that," Greene mentioned.
Claypool is in his second NFL season following his collegiate career at Notre Dame and in his infamous moment, that inexperience struck loud for all to see and hear.
It's important to mention that in college the clock stops after a first down is gained and restarts once the chains are set. Now, of course, it's fair to think a second-year player is aware of the rules in the NFL, but alas anything is possible, something Greene is well aware as he tries to rationalize Claypool's decision.
"In college, when you get a first down, the clock stops. Maybe he had a throwback memory -- he was in college, and the clock was going to stop, Greene said. "Don't know. But the game isn't about him pointing for a first down. Hell, we can see. He made the first down. Get your tail back to the huddle, get the ball back to the official. Very immature."
More is sure to be said about Claypool's decision-making skills or lack thereof, but when a legend like Greene has something to say, it's well worth the listen.
