The Dolphins and Steelers are afraid of “ghosts” too, apparently.
Neither team would allow their players to be mic’d up for their “Monday Night Football” matchup this week, which the Steelers won, 27-14. It comes in response to Jets quarterback Sam Darnold’s comments about “seeing ghosts,” which became a week-long national story after he turned the ball over five times in a 33-0 loss to the Patriots a week prior.
“We approached both teams, but they declined. We are already pursuing options for next week’s game,” the network said in a statement to Sports Business Journal.
ESPN aired Darnold’s comments, but they did have to be approved by NFL Films. Teams agree to their players being mic’d up with an expectation they will be protected if anything embarrassing is said by the players. The Jets were furious that the comment became public and coach Adam Gase said they would re-evaluate their approach going forward.
They were apparently not alone. Although, when Mason Rudolph and Ryan Fitzpatrick are your quarterbacks, you cannot be too safe.