Primanti Bros. restaurant made a playful proposal Friday afternoon to Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey: Come be our bouncer and defend our sammiches n’at.
“We think protecting your biggest asset is the right thing to do,” Primanti Bros. wrote in a Twitter post shortly before 3 p.m. Friday, a few hours after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended the Steelers center for three games for his role in the brawl that broke out at the end of Thursday’s game in Cleveland. “We’ve got a position open for you to protect our biggest asset in The Strip for the next few weeks, what do you say?”
What’s the pay looking like ?? Missing a few checks next couple weeks ????♂️ https://t.co/TTmpsJaSx8
— Maurkice Pouncey (@MaurkicePouncey) November 15, 2019
Pouncey responded to the famous sandwich shop based in Pittsburgh’s Strip District neighborhood via Twitter a few hours later, with a retort capped off by laughing and face-palm emojis: “What’s the pay looking like? Missing a few checks next couple weeks.”
“We probably can’t cover that fine!” Primanti Bros. Twitter replied, offering instead to discuss making a donation to Team Pouncey Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to support underprivileged children via mentorships, after-school programs, summer camps and youth football and cheerleading camps.
A Primanti Bros. spokesperson could not immediately be reached.
In the Thursday night game’s final seconds, Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett tackled Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph after a completion, and the two players tussled on the ground. Rudolph grabbed at Garrett’s helmet before Garrett ripped off Rudolph’s helmet. As Rudolph approached Garrett, the defensive lineman swung the helmet, hitting Rudolph in the head. Rudolph said he was not injured by the blow.
Pouncey punched and kicked Garrett after Garrett swung Rudolph’s helmet at the Steelers quarterback’s unprotected head.
Here's the full play. Myles Garrett hit Rudolph with his own helmet. Maurkice Pouncey (#53) threw punches and a kick. pic.twitter.com/kzJDd4Hj53
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) November 15, 2019
Garrett was suspended indefinitely — at least through the rest of the regular and postseason. Browns defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi was suspended one game for shoving Rudolph to the ground during the melee. All three players and the teams were fined.
Pouncey said earlier in the day that he was sticking up for his teammate and would accept any punishment doled out by the NFL.
“I was in protection mode,” Pouncey said.
RELATED: No criminal charges filed for Garrett’s helmet hit on Rudolph in Steelers-Browns brawl
Twitter fans had much to say about Primanti Bros. showing support for Pouncey.
Here are a few reactions:
Pouncey for Secret Service
— Austin (@ItsAustinLutz) November 15, 2019
Protect the sammiches at all costs n'at pic.twitter.com/6RXoL52tVU
— AJ Bee (@AJBee1123) November 15, 2019
Pouncey porkloins? or Pouncey Pounder????
— Josh Roth (@Joshroth8Roth) November 15, 2019
You need to name a sandwich after him. 'The Big Pounce'?
— C_9hughes (@9hughesC) November 15, 2019
Comes with a little kick
— Adam Guerin (@AdGuerin77) November 15, 2019
I did not like the kick to the head, But everything else Pounce did was honorable! #YinzersProtectTheyOwn
— Mikie Da Poet (@MikieDaPoet) November 15, 2019
We will tip you well to help you pay some of those fines.
— Nikki Knight (@Pghgirl74) November 15, 2019
You win ?? pic.twitter.com/bJnENqCleU
— Shelley 🙂 ??♀️☀️ (@MsSunshineplz) November 16, 2019
