By
Mike Chiari
(Featured Columnist)
on December 4, 2013
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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin may have successfully slowed down Baltimore Ravens kick returner Jacoby Jones by essentially stepping on the field Thanksgiving night, but the former Super Bowl winner paid the price to the tune of $100,000, according to an official release from the league.

The coach could also cost his team a draft pick with his actions:

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.

Tomlin released a statement upon receiving the news of his punishment, per Burt Lauten of Steelers.com:

Mike Tomlin (1/3): As I stated yesterday, I take full responsibility for my actions, and I apologize for causing negative attention…(more)

— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) December 4, 2013

Tomlin cont (2/3): to the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. I accept the penalty that I received. (more)

— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) December 4, 2013

Tomlin cont (3/3): I will no longer address this issue as I am preparing for an important game this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) December 4, 2013

The play in question occurred with the Ravens nursing a 13-7 lead in the second half. It looked as though Jones was home free, but there is no question that Tomlin altered his path as seen in this GIF courtesy of Bleacher Report:

A touchdown on that play almost certainly would have buried the Steelers, but Pittsburgh was able to hold Baltimore to a field goal. The Steelers then proceeded to nearly come all the way back; however, they missed a two-point conversion with 1:03 left and lost 22-20.

The result of the game ultimately wasn't impacted by Tomlin's antics, but the NFL clearly felt as though it needed to send a message. Based on how heavily the league came down on Tomlin, it is fair to say that nobody will be trying such a stunt in the near future.

ESPN Stats & Info shared this interesting detail:

Mike Tomlin's $100K fine is 4th reported fine of $100K or larger given to an NFL coach. Only bigger was Belichick's $500K fine for Spygate.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 4, 2013

Although replays seem to indicate that Tomlin knew exactly what he was doing, he tried to explain himself after the game. According to Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated, Tomlin said it was simply a case of losing track of where he was on the sidelines.

Tomlin on Jones' return: "I always watch the returns on the Jumbotron to provide a better perspective, and I obviously lost my placement."

— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurke_SI) November 29, 2013

Tomlin's infraction was so blatant, though, that it's difficult to take his explanation at face value.

Whatever the case, the NFL acted swiftly. Even if in the unlikely event that Tomlin is telling the truth, the NFL had no other choice. Had the league allowed Tomlin to skate by on this one, it would have opened up a can of worms and invited other coaches and sideline personnel to do something similar.

The true injustice in this entire situation is that Tomlin wasn't flagged after the infraction took place. Some believe that Jones should have been awarded a touchdown, but former NFL vice president of officiating and current Fox NFL analyst Mike Pereira revealed that a 15-yard penalty should have been the call.

If they would have called the foul on Tomlin, they would have assessed 15 yards from the end of the run. Would not have awarded TD.

— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) November 29, 2013

Even that would have helped the Ravens significantly since they would have been in much better position to score a touchdown.

In addition to the league-mandated punishment, Tomlin has been punished in terms of the embarrassment he must be feeling since the infraction occurred. Regardless of intent, he has since turned into the laughingstock of the NFL.

At the same time, Tomlin has taken much of the pressure off his team since the talk has been about him rather than the Steelers losing the game.

Tomlin has been a model citizen throughout his NFL tenure, which made his actions on Thanksgiving quite surprising. Now that Tomlin knows he can't get away with it, though, don't expect him to try any funny business moving forward.

In that regard, the NFL has accomplished its mission.
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