The NFL has docked Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin $100,000 for interfering with a play during the team’s 22-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving, ESPN reported on Wednesday.
THIS JUST IN: Mike Tomlin fined $100,000 for interfering with play vs. Ravens. NFL will also consider draft penalty vs. Steelers.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 4, 2013
As you can see below, Tomlin was standing in the white restricted area between the field and the sideline while Ravens kick returner Jacoby Jones was streaking toward the end zone.
Jones altered his path to avoid colliding with Tomlin, which appeared to allow Pittsburgh’s Cortez Allen to catch him from behind.
The 41-year-old Tomlin apologized for his actions and assumed full responsibility for their consequences.
I can’t be in that space and I was, so I take full responsibility for that, Tomlin told ESPN on Tuesday. It’s an inexcusable blunder on my part. I understand with my position comes the charge of preserving and protecting the integrity of the game of football, and I think probably my biggest error on Thursday night is not realizing that play jeopardized the integrity of the game from a perception standpoint.
The Steelers could also forfeit a draft pick because of the incident.