Steelers' win over Ravens prompts even Mike Tomlin to dance
Mike Tomlin's not here for music at practice.
In the locker room after a potentially season-saving win over the rival Baltimore Ravens? He's all in. The Steelers rallied for a 16-13 win over the Ravens in Sunday's regular-season finale. Barring a tie between the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers Sunday night, the win clinched a playoff spot.
The party was on postgame. Tomlin included.
MIKE TOMLIN THE 🐐! #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/ShNx3pZePq
— That Blitz Guy (@ThatBlitzGuy) January 9, 2022
That's a very different Tomlin from the serious Steelers coach we see, well, almost all the time. In a league full of business-first head coaches, Tomlin's arguably the chairman of the board. Just ask Chase Claypool.
Asked in November what the Steelers could do to improve practice, the second-year receiver responded: "Maybe music would make practice more more fun."
Claypool's answer arrived after consecutive Steelers losses including a 41-10 blowout by the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals. Tomlin was less than enthusiastic about the suggestion.
Tomlin on music pic.twitter.com/aLH24fXlPD
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) November 30, 2021
"You know, Claypool plays wideout, and I'll let him do that," Tomlin said in response to the suggestion. "I'll formulate the practice approach. I think division of labor is probably appropriate."
So that was that for Claypool's music request.
But football's an emotional game, particularly after a Week 18 win that likely extends the season and the career of franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for at least one more game. On Sunday it was enough to inspire even a stoic like Tomlin to let loose for the camera.