Mike Tomlin met with NFL officials regarding controversial Minkah Fitzpatrick penalty

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin wanted more clarification on Minkah Fitzpatrick‘s personal foul penalty. Per Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac, Tomlin said he talked to the NFL office on Monday about the penalty that happened in Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.

“I didn’t like the call, they didn’t like the call,” Tomlin said. “That doesn’t help me on Monday.” Fitzpatrick was flagged for hitting Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell as quarterback Joe Flacco threw an incomplete pass to him. As the ball went out of bounds, Fitzpatrick pulled up and didn’t lead with his head while hitting Mitchell, but officials told him he was penalized because Mitchell was a defenseless player.

I thought we were playing football,” Fitzpatrick said. “I don’t know what we’re playing at this point. Very different game than what I grew up playing and what I grew up loving. Can’t hit nobody hard, can’t be violent. So I don’t know. I don’t know what to say anymore.

Minkah Fitzpatrick speaks out on controversial penalty

“They said he’s a defenseless player and I hit him in the head. I don’t understand how he’s defenseless. If he’s going for the ball, I’m going to make a play on him or the ball. Just because he puts his arms down at the last second, shouldn’t be a penalty. Didn’t hit him in the head either. But like I said, you hit people hard, and they throwing flags now.”

Steelers safety DeShon Elliott also didn’t agree with the call. “That was bulls***,” Elliott said of the call against Fitzpatrick, per ESPN. “I don’t care. I don’t care. That was BS. That was not OK. That wasn’t illegal. He did nothing malicious. He didn’t even hit him in the head. He hit him, led with the shoulder. If anything he let up. So I don’t know what that was about.”

The penalty helped the Colts score on the drive and take a 24-10 lead. The Colts ended up winning 27-24 and gave the Steelers their first loss of the season. Mike Tomlin, Minkah Fitzpatrick and the rest of the Steelers will now move forward and prepare for their game against the Dallas Cowboys, which will take place on Sunday night.