Steelers’ Mike Tomlin fined $100,000
By Mike Dyce
The NFL has fined Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin $100,000 for his sideline ‘gaffe’ against the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving. Tomlin was standing along the edge of the field and interfered with Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones’ return.
The NFL released the following statement:
"Pittsburgh Steelers head coach MIKE TOMLIN has been fined $100,000 for interfering with a play in progress during last Thursday night’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. In addition, because the conduct affected a play on the field, a modification or forfeiture of draft choices will be considered after the final order of the 2014 draft has been determined.The discipline was issued by NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations RAY ANDERSON.With 6:26 remaining in the third quarter, Baltimore’s JACOBY JONES returned a kickoff 73 yards to the Pittsburgh 27. During the return, Tomlin – in violation of Rule 13, Section 1, Article 4 of the NFL Rule Book – was in the restricted white border that surrounds the playing field and stepped foot onto the playing field during the play.Tomlin’s positioning in the white border during play should have resulted in a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct."
Mike Tomlin has maintained that it was accidental.
“I always watch the returns on the Jumbotron,” Tomlin told reporters, via Pro Football Talk. “It provides a better perspective for me. Obviously, I lost my placement as he broke free. I started at the last second and saw how close I was to the field of play.
“I do it quite often like everyone else in the National Football League. I was wrong. I accept responsibility for it.”
“If anybody thinks I or anybody else would do this on purpose they are crazy,” Fox NFL insider Jay Glazer quoted Tomlin as saying Monday on “Fox Football Daily.”