Mike Tomlin was in the news a couple of weeks back when he strongly pushed back on coaching rumors. Now, the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach is back in the headlines for the way he’s answered a different question.
Monday night’s game between the Steelers and Chicago Bears was marred by some extremely curious penalties and referee decisions, none more egregious than Cassius Marsh’s dubious taunting penalty, which included referee Tony Corrente literally leaning into him, seemingly to justify the call. Afterward, Marsh confirmed as much and said “I wasn’t taunting” when he was called.
Cassius Marsh explains the "taunt" and showcases a unique look. pic.twitter.com/UDRuyKHU06
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 9, 2021
On Tuesday, Tomlin spoke with reporters about the play, the penalty, and the way referees are calling taunting more often. But the Steelers coach definitely still appeared to feel as though the emphasis on taunting penalties is a good thing for the league.
#Steelers' Mike Tomlin, a member of the #NFL competition committee says he IS a fan of the taunting flags. Says, "We're just trying to clean our game up." And: "We understand that people playing it at a lower level watch us and often mimic us and how we conduct ourselves."
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) November 9, 2021
“We’re just trying to clean our game up,” Tomlin said. “We understand that people playing it at a lower level watch us and often mimic us and how we conduct ourselves.”
Tomlin’s comments sidestep the issues that a lot of NFL folks are complaining about, especially since the coach is part of the NFL’s competition committee that pushed for more stringent rules on taunting. It’s also unclear what, exactly, Tomlin feels that NFL players need to “clean up.”
I don't understand how they don't see this has gone way too far. It's being overly-officiated and it literally costing teams points and wins.
The taunting rule is making the game much worse. https://t.co/OB0lpluluw
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 9, 2021
Clean up what?! Nah Mike T https://t.co/vuPOdLPq1U
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) November 9, 2021
I get his stance as a head coach, but to have games determined by a glance at a bench or a finger wag when they lunge at each others' heads for a living is so silly to me https://t.co/E6rbjjh5AM
— lindsey ok (@lindseyyok) November 9, 2021
I did not have “Double Down that the Taunting rule is actually GOOD” on my bingo card today https://t.co/yYQtmWZjR8
— Greg Cover 1 🏈 (@GregTompsett) November 9, 2021
The point appears to be that, whether you like the emphasis on taunting penalties or not, they appear to be here to stay.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.