Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is a firm believer in the NFL's new policy around taunting, as covered by ESPN NFL Nation Steelers reporter Brooke Pryor.
Mike Tomlin says he's a big proponent of the new emphasis on taunting:
"We're trying to clean our game up. We embrace the responsibility of being the role models that we are .. we understand people at a lower level watch us and mimic what we do."
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) November 9, 2021
Mike Tomlin is known as a no-nonsense type guy. He is the coach you will run through a wall for. Tomlin also has no issues speaking his mind.
His character is evident based on his stance on this issue. Professional athletes are role models, whether they want to be or not. They are watched by and imitated by young children around the world.
Ironically, the Steelers benefitted from a taunting penalty in Monday night's win over Chicago.
Ben Roethlisberger was sacked, knocking Pittsburgh out of field goal range with under 4 minutes left in the game. However, Chicago LB Cassius Marsh took a few steps toward the Steelers sideline and appeared to stare down the opponents. It did not appear to be directed toward anyone particularly.
Nevertheless, Cassius Marsh was flagged for taunting and the Steelers ended up kicking a field goal later in the drive, increasing their lead to 26-20. The Bears scored a touchdown to take a late 27-26 lead. Roethlisberger then led Pittsburgh back down for a game-winning field goal, 29-27.
That one call did not cost the Bears the win though, as pointed out by Sporting News writer Madison Williams. Chicago was flagged 12 times for 115 yards in the game. It is very difficult to win on the road in the NFL. That is especially true when you are not buttoned up.
There was some controversy over the officiating after the game. It was not just the call on Marsh either. The Bears were also called for a low block on a Jimmy Graham touchdown. That drive ended in a field goal.
On the bright side for Chicago, rookie quarterback Justin Fields had his best game as a pro. Fields threw for almost 300 yards, ran for another 45 yards and almost pulled off the upset win.
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