How can you not love a classic Mike Tomlin-ism?
I’m still riding high from my Steelers big win over the Jets last night. We’ll be back to our regularly scheduled content after this but Tomlin’s performance during a short press conference late last night needs to be addressed because he was absolutely on one.
Of course, there was a good amount of classic coach speak, saying how appreciative he was of his players efforts during the game and in practice day in and day out, but he dropped two classic lines that has sports fans fully backing the 17 year leader of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
First, he was asked about Russell Wilson’s QB sneak from the 1 yard line. The reporter tried to make it into an allegory for Russ’ toughness but Tomlin quickly brought us back down to planet earth:
“[Reporter] – What does it say that Russ kept the ball and pushed his way in for that one yard rushing touchdown? What did you learn about maybe his resilience and his strength in that moment?
[Tomlin] – It was just a sneak.”
The guy is a comedian without even trying but you’ve got to love the reality-grounded response there.
Then, right at the end, former star wide receiver and current co-host of Showtime’s Inside The NFL Brandon Marshall, a Pittsburgh native, entered the room and asked Tomlin about the courage to make the decision to bench Fields and start Wilson:
“[Marshall] – Was that one of your boldest decisions, to go with 3?
[Tomlin] – That’s why I’m well compensated”
— Ari M (@AriMeirov) October 21, 2024
Inject every Tomlin line directly into my veins…
You can watch the rest of the 5ish minute presser below but man, Tomlin was on one last night and it’s impossible to try to knock the man down right now. Time will tell if this decision holds up (fingers crossed and sending prayers that it does) but for right now, Mike Tomlin is back on top of the coaching world.
Coach Tomlin spoke to the media following our win over the Jets. pic.twitter.com/BJCr5a16o0
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 21, 2024
