Roethlisberger says Carr shouldn't be criticized if he cried during game

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger offered Derek Carr a proverbial tissue Wednesday after the Oakland Raiders pivot was reportedly scrutinized by teammates for supposedly crying during a game.

"As men in general, we all need to show emotion," Roethlisberger responded after being asked when it's acceptable for football players to cry, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "I think there's a misconception out there that as men we shouldn't show emotion. I think that's wrong. I think we need to show emotion, whether it's at a movie, if you want to cry if it's funny, if it's sad, if you want to be around your wife or girlfriend. Just because you cry doesn't mean you're less manly. I think that's a false narrative."

Carr's relationship with his teammates reportedly took a hit after they witnessed him on film reacting emotionally to an arm injury suffered while taking a sack.

The film was from Oakland's Oct. 14 game against the Seattle Seahawks. Carr quickly responded to the report, vehemently denying that he shed a single tear.

"When it comes to football, if something hurts - (Carr) might have been hurting, who knows?" Roethlisberger added. "I know I've cried in the locker room before, for both joy and pain. You lose a football game, if you're not showing emotion or if he gets up from something like that and he's laughing he's going to get chastised for not showing enough emotion. So I don't know exactly the story you're talking about, but for me I don't think it makes us any less manly to show emotion."

Carr's had plenty to be sad about this season. The Raiders are 1-5, he's struggled to recapture his previous form, and two of the team's best players - pass-rusher Khalil Mack and wide receiver Amari Cooper - have been traded.