Was Joey Porter supposed to confront the Cincinnati Bengals?
Pittsburgh had entered the final period with a 15-0 lead, but Cincinnati fought back. The Bengals took a 16-15 lead with 1:50 remaining. Then, with 22 seconds remaining, Vontaze Burfict hit Antonio Brown after a pass from Ben Roethlisberger fell incomplete. Officials penalised Burfict 15 yards for unnecessary roughness. Officials penalised the Bengals cornerback for unsportsmanlike conduct, giving Pittsburgh another 15 yards. Chris Boswell converted a 35-yard kick with 14 seconds remaining, handing the Steelers an 18-16 victory on January 9, 2016.
However, the game took a dramatic turn in the fourth quarter. Jeremy Hill scored a touchdown, Mike Nugent added a field goal, and A.J. Green caught a touchdown pass from A.J. McCarron. The closing moments changed the outcome of the game. After Jeremy Hill fumbled, Pittsburgh recovered the ball and got another chance to win. Brown needed medical attention, while Porter entered the field as tensions rose. Tomlin later explained that he wanted Porter to help calm Pittsburgh’s players, including offensive linemen Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro. Instead, Porter became involved in a heated exchange with Bengals players. Adam Jones then confronted the Steelers assistant. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines That decision made an already promising field-goal opportunity even easier. Jones was furious after the game and questioned why Porter had entered the field in the first place. Former Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth also criticised the Steelers assistant, making it clear that he did not approve of his actions. Tomlin’s latest explanation provides more context for Porter’s presence that night. He had brought his former linebacker into the plan to prevent Pittsburgh’s players from losing control. Instead, the confrontation became one of the defining moments of a playoff game Cincinnati came painfully close to winning. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.
The former Steelers head coach revealed that Porter had a specific job before their January 9, 2016, Wild Card meeting. The Steelers and Bengals had developed a bitter relationship by the time they met in the 2015 season’s Wild Card Round. Because of the respect he commanded inside the locker room, the Steelers coach trusted him to handle the situation.
“I deputized him,” Tomlin said. Mike Tomlin finally explained why Joey Porter Sr. entered the field during one of the most heated Pittsburgh Steelers-Cincinnati Bengals games. He wanted the former linebacker to help control Pittsburgh’s players if tensions boiled over. However, Porter ended up in a confrontation with Cincinnati’s players, and Adam Jones’ reaction proved costly for the Bengals. Tomlin revisited the incident during his recent appearance on Cameron Heyward’s Not Just Football podcast. His explanation offered a different perspective on Porter’s involvement in the chaotic finish. It also brought back memories of a rivalry that had become increasingly hostile over the years. Porter had experienced that rivalry as a Pittsburgh player before becoming the team’s outside linebackers coach. Tomlin knew his presence could have an impact if tempers flared. “We had a nasty relationship with that group. He then explained the instructions he had given Porter in his office on game day. “If it goes berserk in any way, I’m coming on the field. I want you to come with me. I’m going to the action. I want you to control our guys. Tomlin wanted Porter to keep Pittsburgh’s players from getting carried away.
Speaking on Heyward’s podcast, Tomlin recalled the conversation he had with Porter before the game.