After the Steelers’ loss, Mike Tomlin sheds tears in his postgame speech.
Mike Tomlin had coached in 10 postseason games prior to Sunday’s game against the Broncos, leading the Steelers to two Super Bowl
appearances and one Lombardi Trophy.
Mike Tomlin had coached in 10 postseason games prior to Sunday’s game against the Broncos, leading the Steelers to two Super Bowl appearances and one Lombardi Trophy. But the Steelers coach, who took over for Bill Cowher after the 2006 season, was never more emotional than in the moments following the Broncos’ 23-16 divisional round loss.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, after the game, the coach addressed the team in the locker room with tears streaming down his face, the first time anyone can recall that happening.
“I’m glad to have a coach like that,” defensive end Cam Heyward said. “It hurts even worse, because he’s right in the battle with us.”
Martavis Bryant, a wide receiver, added, “There was a lot of emotion.” I’d never seen him cry like that before. I, too, cried. It’s only a bad feeling. It’s just really difficult right now. Because of the difficulties we encountered. It’s an unpleasant sensation.”
It’s also an impressive run for the Steelers, who faced the Broncos and their top-ranked defence without the league’s best wide receiver, Le’Veon Bell, one of the league’s best left tackles (according to ProFootballFocus’ metrics), four-time Pro Bowl centre Maurkice Pouncey, and a franchise quarterback who had to take painkillers before the game.
Still, Pittsburgh was in a good position to win until third-team running back Fitzgerald Toussaint fumbled in the fourth quarter.
“I have to protect the ball,” Toussaint said from his locker, where he remained dressed in full uniform long after the game was over. “There are no excuses for that. In that situation, I blamed myself.”
But Toussaint’s teammates, including Ben Roethlisberger, had his back.
“I told him… “We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him,” said the quarterback. “This is not entirely his fault. It’s all on us.”
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