The Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Tomlin, has now publicly spoken out in favour of the current interpretation of the controversial Taunting Rule.

Munich/Pittsburgh – In light of the discussions surrounding the controversial interpretation of the Taunting Rule, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has now spoken out about the rule.

Tomlin, who is part of the NFL’s competition committee, spoke in favour of the rule and its current interpretation, according to ESPN: “We’re just trying to make the game cleaner. We have to face the responsibility we have as role models for others.”

He continued, “We play football at the highest level and we have to realise that lower level players see us and potentially imitate our actions and behaviours. “

What is Taunting anyway?

This season, the NFL has caused debate with its stricter interpretation of the taunting rule.

Taunting refers to taunting an opponent or the opposing team and is usually punished with a 15-yard penalty.

At the end of Week 9, the rule had caused discussion after defensive end Cassius Marsh of the Chicago Bears Steelers sacked quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on a crucial third down a few minutes before the end of the game and cheered inconspicuously about it.

However, the referees penalised this with a taunting flag and a 15-yard penalty, which gave the Steelers the game-winning field goal.