Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown used to be the driving force for the Pittsburgh Steelers and were steadfast friends. However, one snide comment saw the connection ruined and Brown about to play the 2019 season with another team that dons black.

The Steelers QB is reportedly regretting his decision to criticize the now-Oakland Raiders WR over his route running in 2018. Roethlisberger had this to say as reported by NBC Sports' Ali Thanawalla:

“Because we saw what happened, and obviously, it ruined a friendship,” Roethlisberger said. “I just got caught up in the heat of the battle.”

Brown wasn't the only Steelers wide receiver that Roethlisberger criticized during the radio interview. He called out James Washington, but the 2018 second-round draft pick appreciated the honest words, according to the quarterback.

Why couldn't Brown handle the criticism like Washington?

“You'll have to ask him,” Roethlisberger said. “I'm not sure.”

It's known to everyone in the NFL that these two have egos befitting of their talents, and their numbers together proved that they were an effective one-two punch against their rivals in the AFC.

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In their final season together, Roethlisberger got 5,129 passing yards. Brown accounted with 1297 of those. The partnership that they built up since Brown joined the team in 2010 helped the team deliver entertaining football to the Steeler faithful.

However, all good things must come to an end. Plenty of Steelers fans didn't want things to end this way, but this sort of ending could be expected out of two outspoken people in the locker room.

Roethlisberger wished nothing but the best for his former friend, but Brown is most likely busy fighting the NFL over his helmet choices to even care.