Things turned ugly during Aaron Rodgers’ clash against the Green Bay Packers after a massive, on-field brawl left two referees on the turf.
On Sunday night, Rodgers suited up against his former side, the Packers, as the Steelers looked to bounce back from defeat against the Bengals a week prior.
However, it wasn’t meant to be for Rodgers in the end. Despite his best efforts, it was the Packers who won 35-25 after an impressive display from tight end Tucker Kraft.
One of the major talking points from the night came during the fourth quarter, when players from both teams clashed and a brawl broke out on the field.
The scuffle began after a Steelers punt when Pittsburgh linebacker Nick Herbig took issue with two Packers stars for holding down his teammate.
Herbig was penalized for unnecessary roughness but not before the brawl was sparked, as officials threw down multiple flags in an attempt to stop it.
A massive on-field brawl sparked during the Packers win over the Steelers on Sunday night
Two referees fell down to the turf after trying to diffuse the situation at the Acrisure Stadium
However, their efforts went in vain and, instead, two officials ended up on the turf as they tried to distance some of the Packers players from the scuffle.
Thankfully, both officials were able to get back to their feet almost immediately and eventually diffused the chaotic situation.
In the game itself, Rodgers completed 24 of his 36 pass attempts for 221 yards and two recorded two touchdowns in the process.
Meanwhile, Packers star Kraft produced a stunning performance who completed seven receptions for 143 yards and scored two touchdowns.
Elsewhere on the night, Steelers star Rodgers risked the wrath of the NFL after being caught using a banned substance mid-game.
During the game, eagle-eyed fans – and NBC’s broadcast cameras – caught the moment when Rodgers used smelling salts in between plays.
The incident comes just a week after Rodgers was seen using the smelling salts during their dramatic 33-31 loss against Cincinnati.
The repeated incidents have caused concern among some fans, given the NFL had banned smelling salts earlier this year amid concern over player safety.
The scuffle began after a Steelers punt when Pittsburgh linebacker Nick Herbig took issue with two Packers stars for holding down his teammate
Both officials were able to get back to their feet almost immediately and diffused the situation
It caused unhappiness from players throughout the league – San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle dropped the news in a live interview on NFL TV and asked for a solution to be found.
Kittle gatecrashed the NFL Network’s set at the 49ers practice facility and said: ‘I honestly just came up here to air a grievance.
‘Our team got a memo today that smelling salts and ammonia packets were made illegal in the NFL, and I’ve been distraught all day.’
But the NFL rules simply prohibited teams offering players the salts. Players can still bring their own to games.
