In his 2023 season-ending press conference, Mike Tomlin admitted his biggest regret was not getting a Lombardi Trophy for the Pittsburgh Steelers when Maurkice Pouncey was a member of the Black and Gold.

“It’s probably one of my biggest regrets professionally that Maurkice Pouncey, for example, is not a world champion because that guy is,” Tomlin said when asked if there’s a sense of urgency to get Cam Heyward a ring. “So that is a motivating factor for me certainly, but continually, it is.”

Pouncey got wind of Tomlin’s comment and responded in a touching way via Instagram.

“Thank you Coach T means the world but Never regret it Coach You made me a champion at life Im forever thankful!”

Pouncey, who entered the league one season before Heyward, was a rookie when Pittsburgh lost to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV.

The Steelers made six more postseason appearances in Pouncey’s career, losing in the wild card round three times.

Story originally appeared on Steelers Wire