FOX Sports’ Jason McIntyre has been taken plenty of L’s lately. One day after stating Super Bowl-winning WR Mike Evans has never been close to the Lombardi Trophy, he followed up with the worst question and implication yet over the spat between former Pittsburgh Steelers players. Speaking with Willie Colon Thursday, McIntyre wondered if a “racial element” was at play.

“I don’t know if Big Ben started it. But I’ll ask. Willie, do you think there’s a racial element to this? Big Ben, Tomlin, Porter?” McIntyre said on The Herd.

With an earnestly befuddled look on his face, Colon rejected the notion.

“No, nonsense,” the former Steelers offensive lineman said. “I don’t even know what that component would be. You would have to help me.”

Jason McIntyre wonders if there is a racial element to Ben Roethlisberger criticizing Mike Tomlin

Willie Colon: “No…I don’t even know what that component would be, you would have to help me” pic.twitter.com/uyNWGwc78b

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 19, 2026

McIntrye attempted to defend his line of questioning by noting all the “shots” Ben Roethlisberger took at Mike Tomlin “out the door.” On his Footbahlin podcast, Roethlisberger offered criticism of Tomlin last season but was generally mild. He continually praised Tomlin’s ability to coach but believed it was time for the Steelers and Tomlin to part ways, a thought Roethlisberger was far from alone in.

Floating the idea of Tomlin coaching at Penn State was awkward and perhaps ill-advised but it was also made off the cuff and, listening to the context, wasn’t nearly as harsh as it read on paper.

James Harrison and Ryan Clark offered similar and often more intense and pointed criticism. In his response, Willie Colon made that point and McIntyre responded with a meek, “That’s fair.”

There’s no need to write a long defense of why Roethlisberger’s critiques weren’t racially motivated. Outside of a Facebook comments section, McIntyre is the only one to suggest or even think race had anything to do with what Roethlisberger said.

Frankly, most in the national media probably aren’t even aware of what Roethlisberger said. The framing of his comments is more sinister than his actual quotes were, and it’s improperly framed the ensuing narrative.

McIntyre has taken that to the worst degree and while he may not have levied a direct accusation of racism, even broaching the topic under the guise of “I’m just asking questions here” is silly. Colon’s response was firm and correct.