Steelers' Mike Tomlin Took Time To Make A Very Important Phone Call To A Media Members Sick Mother

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin is universally loved and respected by players throughout the league. Stories frequently pop up about how Tomlin goes the extra mile to connect with his players. They say he knows and asks about their families and interests outside of football. He knows what makes them tick, what motivates them as athletes, and uses that to get the best out of them. This personal touch is part of why players like Patrick Queen and Russell Wilson wanted to come and play for him. 

As we learned from a recent video, Tomlin's personal touch apparently extends beyond just the players to others he comes in contact with. Tomlin and the rest of the NFL coaches are in Orlando, Florida for the 2024 NFL Annual Meeting. At this meeting, the executives vote on rule changes and discuss factors impacting the entire league. It is also an excellent time for the media to nab coaches or general managers to ask questions about their offseason choices or impending plans. 

Brandon Kravitz, an Orlando radio personality and contributor to Rotowire, recently released a video on X that shows Tomlin speaking on a cell phone. Kravitz explains in his post that Tomlin asked to call the mother of a media member who is in poor health. Kravitz was blown away by Tomlin's sincere concern for this woman and the fact that he had taken time out of his evening to make the call. 

"I wish you nothing but the best. Fight that fight. Get out of that hospital. Just know that you've got a son that loves you. We're in a cool setting and had an opportunity to talk about you. I just wanted to get you on the phone and wish you the absolute best," said Tomlin on the phone.

Tomlin is heading into his 18th season as the Steelers' head coach. During that time, he has never had a losing season. While that stat is wearing thin with fans, Tomlin remains a league favorite among players. A recent survey of Pro Bowlers asked what coach they'd most want to play for other than their own; Tomlin came in only second to Dan Campbell. 

In another recent survey, this one by the NFL Players Association, current Steelers players said Tomlin was about the only thing they loved within the organization. The players ranked facilities and the treatment of families an "F." They voted Team President Art Rooney II an "F" as an owner, but gave Tomlin, as head coach, a grade of "A." He ranked fifth overall in the NFL in player satisfaction, unlike Rooney, who ranked 31 out of 32 owners. 

Things like that phone call are part of what makes Tomlin so well-loved. Kravitz exclaimed in his post that Tomlin is "a good dude" and said that he can only imagine the joy on the other end of the phone.  

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Puts Rumors Of Retirement To Bed

Tomlin is currently the longest-tenured coach in the NFL, and during the 2023 season, rumors began to swirl that he might hang his whistle up and retire. The season was certainly a tough one for the 52-year-old coach. He dealt with quarterback issues as they attempted to develop Kenny Pickett, the firing of his Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada, ridicule for having kept him for multiple seasons, and several significant injuries. 

Tomlin addressed the rumors that he would depart at that same annual meeting. He said he loves his job and has no plans to leave anytime soon. Tomlin is under a three-year contract extension signed in 2021 and runs through this year. Most analysts agree that the Steelers and Tomlin will negotiate another extension sometime this season. This is especially likely since Rooney told the media that they still see the same passion in Tomlin that they always have and want him to stay in Pittsburgh. 

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