According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has been fined $100,000 by the league for his Thursday night sideline incident during a kickoff return in the game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Schefter also states that the league will still consider a draft choice penalty versus the Steelers as well. A modification or forfeiture of draft picks will be considered after order of 2014 draft order has been determined.
The fine is right around where everyone thought it would be and rightly deserved. We shall see if the league follows through with taking away a draft pick, but I am still willing to wager that that they won’t when the dust settles.
Tomlin has released a statement on Wednesday following the ruling:
As I stated yesterday, I take full responsibility for my actions, and I apologize for causing negative attention to the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. I accept the penalty that I received. I will no longer address this issue as I am preparing for an important game this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
From the league press release:
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach MIKE TOMLIN has been fined $100,000 for interfering with a play in progress during last Thursday night’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. In addition, because the conduct affected a play on the field, a modification or forfeiture of draft choices will be considered after the final order of the 2014 draft has been determined.
The discipline was issued by NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations RAY ANDERSON.
With 6:26 remaining in the third quarter, Baltimore’s JACOBY JONES returned a kickoff 73 yards to the Pittsburgh 27. During the return, Tomlin – in violation of Rule 13, Section 1, Article 4 of the NFL Rule Book – was in the restricted white border that surrounds the playing field and stepped foot onto the playing field during the play.
Tomlin’s positioning in the white border during play should have resulted in a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
