NFL Hands Down Heavy Fine to Steelers Safety DeShon Elliott After Instagram Post Criticizing the League

Pittsburgh, PA – Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen, a proud LSU Tigers alumnus, has joined the chorus of criticism against sports media outlets following the tragic case of his former LSU teammate Kyren Lacy. In a fiery social media post on October 6, 2025, Queen echoed the sentiments of Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers, calling out what he described as a "broken system" that rushes to tarnish reputations with unproven allegations but falls silent when innocence is proven. Queen's statement comes amid growing outrage over Lacy's wrongful accusation in a fatal car accident, which was later debunked by video evidence—too late to save the young athlete's life. Queen, who starred at LSU from 2016 to 2019 before being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens and later signing a lucrative deal with the Steelers, highlighted his shared Tigers heritage with Lacy. Though the two didn't overlap in their college years—Lacy played from 2021 to 2024—Queen emphasized the "LSU family" bond, saying the media's handling of the case hits close to home for all alumni. "Y'all bashed my LSU brother's name across every channel when he was 'allegedly' involved, destroying his future. But now the truth's out—video shows he was innocent—and crickets? Mfs go radio silent like it never happened. This system's rigged against us young athletes," Queen wrote on X, using language reminiscent of Nabers' raw outburst. The controversy stems from Lacy's 2024 accusation in a deadly traffic incident in Louisiana, where initial reports painted him as responsible, leading to intense scrutiny from networks like ESPN and NFL.com. Lacy, a promising wide receiver with NFL draft potential, tragically took his own life in April 2025 before a grand jury hearing. Just days ago, on October 3, 2025, the district attorney's office released surveillance footage and reports exonerating him, sparking backlash from the sports community. Nabers, Lacy's close friend and LSU teammate, was the first to publicly condemn the media, accusing them of sensationalism that ignores retractions. Queen's involvement adds weight to the narrative, as the 26-year-old Pro Bowler has his own history of overcoming adversity, from a small-town Louisiana upbringing to NFL stardom. Sources close to Queen say his post was motivated by a desire to protect future athletes, especially those from similar backgrounds. "Patrick sees this as bigger than one case—it's about how Black athletes get villainized without facts," an insider told reporters. The Steelers organization has not commented, but teammates like T.J. Watt have liked Queen's post, signaling support. Critics argue the media's rush to judgment reflects deeper biases in sports journalism, where "allegedly" headlines generate clicks but rarely lead to apologies. ESPN issued a brief statement acknowledging the new evidence but stopped short of retracting prior coverage, fueling further ire. As the NFL season progresses, Queen's voice could inspire more players to speak out, potentially pressuring leagues and networks for accountability. In a follow-up tweet, Queen urged fans: "Honor Kyren by demanding better. LSU forever—don't let them silence the truth." The post has garnered over 50,000 likes, with #JusticeForKyren trending. As the Steelers prepare for their next game, Queen's off-field advocacy underscores the human side of the sport, reminding everyone that behind the helmets are real lives at stake.