Ex-Patriots player: Locker room divided over Butler benching

Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Former New England Patriots cornerback Brandon Browner criticized Bill Belichick on social media for his decision to bench Malcolm Butler in Super Bowl LII.

And he didn't hold back on crushing the coach he won a Super Bowl with in 2015.

"A locker room was divided pre game, most yards ever given in up in a SB game, and your best defender over the past 3 seasons. Doesn't get a snap. You where hurt/burnt where he was needed tonight... #foolishpride."

Browner played three seasons for the Seattle Seahawks before landing with the Patriots in 2014. He returned to the Seahawks in 2015.

New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21). File photo by Matthew Healey/UPI

The 2011 Pro Bowl selection was on the field with the Patriots when Butler picked off Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson to win Super Bowl XLIX.

"Your spirit was all over that game tonight," Browner wrote on Instagram. "Definitely seen it, they had safeties covering WR to prove a point. God bless u my friend, keep fighting, I saw you tear up pre game, first sign. You done a lot for that team and that community it's ok to move on."

Butler was caught on camera during the national anthem. He was shielding his eyes with his hand and appeared to be shedding tears.

"Man, Bill wasn't right at all tonight. I didn't know how to feel tonight," Browner said in an Instagram video. "That dude done started every game for that team - you feel me - since he picked the [expletive] ball off...You play every game of the season but the Super Bowl. You feel me? I can't rock with that. That was a [expletive] call. That was a [expletive] decision. That was a power trip. You divide the locker room when you do that. [Expletive] sign out...They deserve that [loss] for not playing Malcolm."

Butler, 27, is a free agent this offseason. Before the Super Bowl, Browner posted that he loved Belichick.

"In Honor of the Super Bowl, you know who I got. Don't hate me 12s, this not about y'all. Patriots are in that thang, facts, my friends are sending me these videos. LOL Patriots 4the WIN #SBchamps I Love U BB [Bill B.] Go Do it... Money is in the BANK," he wrote on Instagram.

Several current and former Patriots liked and commented on Browner's posts, including: Don't'a Hightower, Jamie Collins, Alfonzo Dennard, Aaron Dobson