Boomer Esiason ‘Embarrassed’ by Bengals’ Performance, Actions in Playoff Loss

NFL commentator Boomer Esiason reacted Saturday night to his former team’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the Cincinnati Bengals gift-wrapping the Steelers the win to advance to the next round of the playoffs.

With a minute and a half remaining and a 16-15 lead, Bengals running back Jeremy Hill coughed up the football. On the ensuing drive by the Steelers, Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict was flagged for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown. Then, Adam “Pacman” Jones was slapped with an unsportsmanlike penalty, giving the Steelers 30 free yards and setting them up for easy game-winning 35-yard field goal with almost no time left on the clock to make the score 18-16.

Esiason said he is “embarrassed” by the behavior of Burfict and Jones, adding that coach Marvin Lewis should not be coaching them if he cannot control his players.

“I’m a former Bengal. I’m embarrassed by the way this game ended and by the way these guys acted on the field today. I feel bad for Marvin Lewis and if he can’t control his players, maybe he shouldn’t be standing on the sidelines coaching that dreck.”