Steelers' Mike Tomlin admits fault, not intent for sideline fiasco

Tom Pelissero | USA TODAY Sports

Calling his actions embarrassing and inexcusable, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday he takes responsibility for his behavior on the controversial kickoff Thanksgiving night against the Baltimore Ravens but repeatedly denied any nefarious intentions.

"I would never do such a thing," Tomlin said about his narrow miss with Ravens kick return Jacoby Jones. "I would never consider doing such a thing. … But it was a blunder nonetheless."

Tomlin said he spoke with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and vice presidents Merton Hanks and Ray Anderson on Monday and received no indication of potential discipline, though he said the league should focus on him — not the Steelers — since it was his mistake.

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According to Tomlin, the NFL researched his habit of watching kickoffs on stadium video boards, which he said he almost always does near the kickoff line to search for potential penalties while surveying the coverage.

Tomlin said he couldn't explain exactly how he arrived at where he was standing hursday but called it a frightening experience to see himself come on the screen as Jones approached.

"I think probably my biggest error on Thursday night is not realizing that that play jeopardized the integrity of the game from a perception standpoint," Tomlin said. "At no time Thursday night in the game or after did I realize that my actions would be perceived potentially, or could be perceived potentially, as intentional. That's a mistake on my part.

"As someone in my position that's supposed to preserve the integrity of the game of football, I should have realized the potential for that and acted accordingly. I didn't realize the potential. Really, I was focused on the blunder itself, the embarrassment it produced and moving my football team past it."

With Baltimore leading 13-7 midway through the third quarter, Jones broke loose down the Steelers' sideline on a kickoff return.

Tomlin, positioned illegally with part of one foot on the field of play and the other on the white stripe near the Pittsburgh 38-yard line while staring at the M&T Bank Stadium video board, jumped out of Jones' path at the last second — but not before Jones cut inside, which probably helped allow him to be tackled at the 27.

"That's pretty tough to premeditate," Tomlin said, considering Pittsburgh hadn't allowed a long kick return all season.

While appearing on NFL Network, NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino confirmed on Tuesday that Tomlin should have been penalized on the play.

"Anytime a player or a coach from the sideline is in this white area, that's a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct," Blandino said.

"If they interfere with the play, it could be what's called a 'palpably unfair act.' In that instance, the referee could basically penalize the team whatever he deems equitable, which could include giving the Ravens a touchdown. That's not the case here, but certainly Coach Tomlin was in the white. He should have been flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct."

Tomlin said he hasn't spoken with Steelers ownership about the issue.

He talked for 21 minutes on the topic at his Tuesday news conference, even urging reporters to continue asking questions during a lull. He said he wasn't doing so in hopes of helping his cause with the NFL and he wasn't nervous about the consequences he might face.

"I'm not acting in a way to preserve my wallet or my money," Tomlin said.

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Follow Tom Pelissero on Twitter @TomPelissero