The tumultuous relationship between former Pittsburgh Steelers stars Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown has taken a dramatic turn with a recent revelation that has reignited their longstanding feud. On April 27, 2025, Brown posted a provocative claim on X, alleging a one-night fling with Roethlisberger’s sister, Carlee, during the 2011 Pro Bowl in Hawaii. The post, which Brown later deleted, sent shockwaves through the NFL community, further eroding a relationship that has been fractured since Brown’s departure from Pittsburgh in 2019.
Roethlisberger and Brown were once a dynamic duo on the field, combining for 804 receptions, 10,764 yards, and 74 touchdowns over nine seasons from 2010 to 2018, per Pro Football Reference. Their partnership helped the Steelers reach the AFC Championship in 2010 and Super Bowl XLV in 2011, though they lost 31-25 to the Green Bay Packers. However, their off-field relationship was often strained, with Brown’s controversial behavior—such as his 2017 Facebook Live incident from the locker room—and Roethlisberger’s tendency to publicly criticize teammates creating tension. Roethlisberger, for instance, called out Brown on his weekly radio show in 2018 after a loss to the Denver Broncos, saying, “We had a chance to win, but [Brown] ran the wrong route,” per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. This public blame game, part of the Steelers’ “Killer B’s” era drama alongside Le’Veon Bell, contributed to Brown’s eventual trade demand.
Brown was traded to the Oakland Raiders in March 2019 for a third- and fifth-round pick, a move that marked the beginning of a downward spiral in his career. After being released by the Raiders before playing a game, he signed with the New England Patriots, only to be cut after one game amid sexual assault allegations, per NFL.com. He later joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, winning Super Bowl LV with Tom Brady, but his tenure ended infamously in 2022 when he stormed off the field mid-game against the New York Jets, shirtless, and was released shortly after, per ESPN’s Jenna Laine. Brown has not played in the NFL since.
The relationship between Brown and Roethlisberger appeared to thaw briefly in 2020 when Brown embarked on an apology tour. On February 12, 2020, Brown posted on Instagram, “I never realized how good I had it, got caught up in my emotion with everyone coming after me I really apologize for my actions sincerely man! It’s never been another connection like what we done in the past decade. I appreciate you. Sincerely AB,” as reported by Newsweek. Days earlier, he had apologized to the NFL for his “past behavior” in an ESPN interview and to the Steelers organization for “the distractions” on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh, per Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo. However, any goodwill was short-lived. By 2024, Brown was publicly critical again, telling VladTV, “Ben never invited me to his house, even after all those years,” a comment that suggested lingering resentment, per Sports Illustrated’s Noah Strackbein.
Brown’s latest claim about Carlee Roethlisberger, a former basketball player at the University of Oklahoma who averaged 5.1 points per game in the 2008-09 season, per OU Athletics, has escalated the feud to new heights. Carlee, now 38, has not publicly commented on the allegation, and Roethlisberger, who retired in 2022, has also remained silent as of April 30, 2025. A source close to the Roethlisberger family told The Athletic’s Ed Bouchette, “Ben is focused on his family and business ventures—he’s not engaging with Antonio’s provocations.” Roethlisberger, now 43, has been involved in philanthropy and owns a stake in the Pittsburgh-based Big Ben’s BBQ sauce brand, per the company’s website.
The 2011 Pro Bowl, where Brown alleges the incident occurred, took place on January 30 in Honolulu, following the Steelers’ Super Bowl loss to the Packers. Brown, then a rookie, earned his first Pro Bowl nod after a breakout season with 69 receptions for 1,108 yards, per Pro Football Reference. Roethlisberger, also selected, threw for 263 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Super Bowl despite the defeat, earning his third Pro Bowl selection. The event was a high point in their early partnership, making Brown’s claim—14 years later—all the more jarring.
Brown’s recent behavior has drawn scrutiny beyond his feud with Roethlisberger. On April 26, 2025, he criticized ESPN’s coverage of Shannon Sharpe’s sexual assault allegations, tweeting, “ESPN protecting their own while they buried me for less,” per OutKick’s David Hookstead, reflecting his ongoing grievances with the media. Meanwhile, Roethlisberger has largely stayed out of the spotlight, focusing on his post-NFL life, including his role as a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins, a deal finalized in 2023, per NHL.com.
The disintegration of Brown and Roethlisberger’s relationship, once a cornerstone of the Steelers’ success, underscores the volatility of their time together. Brown’s latest revelation, whether true or a calculated provocation, ensures that their rivalry remains a topic of intrigue, even as both have moved on from their playing days. For Steelers fans, it’s a bitter reminder of a prolific partnership that ended in discord, with little hope of reconciliation.
