The Pittsburgh Steelers found themselves battling back in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts after falling behind 17-0. As the Steelers clawed their way back into the game, narrowing the gap to 17-10, they had a crucial chance to force the Colts off the field. On 2nd-and-10, Colts backup quarterback Joe Flacco launched a deep pass intended for rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. The throw sailed beyond Mitchell’s reach, and Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick closed in, delivering a shoulder-to-shoulder hit.
However, the referees called Fitzpatrick for unnecessary roughness, a decision that gave Indianapolis new life on the drive, which ultimately ended in a touchdown.
“I thought we were playing football. I don’t know what we’re playing at this point,” said a frustrated Fitzpatrick. “This is a very different game from the one I grew up playing and loving. You can’t hit anyone hard, can’t be violent anymore. I don’t even know what to say.”
DeShon Elliott, the Steelers’ starting strong safety, didn’t hold back when asked about the call, echoing Fitzpatrick’s frustration. He was equally baffled by the penalty and blunt in his criticism of the officials.
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“I don’t care. That was B.S.,” Elliott stated. “That wasn’t illegal. He did nothing malicious. He didn’t even hit him in the head—he led with his shoulder. If anything, he let up. So I don’t know what they were looking at.”
Both safeties may face fines for publicly criticizing the referees, but their comments reflect the growing frustration among players regarding inconsistent officiating. Former NFL referee Gene Steratore even weighed in, supporting the players’ position, noting that Fitzpatrick’s hit made no contact with Mitchell’s head or neck area and should not have been flagged.
While it’s impossible to say whether the controversial call altered the outcome of the game, the penalty certainly shifted momentum, with the Colts taking advantage and scoring a key touchdown. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has publicly supported his safeties, and the team remains vocal about what they see as a poor officiating decision in a hard-fought game.
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