Steve Bisciotti Declines To Judge Mike Tomlin's Intent

Posted Jan 11, 2014

Garrett DowningBaltimoreRavens.com Staff Writer@Ravens All Garrett Downing Articles



Steve Bisciotti said the Week 13 play was 'bizarre,' but that Tomlin is a 'really good guy.'



The most infamous play from Ravens’ 2013 season came in Week 13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The play was in the fourth quarter of the Thanksgiving night game, when Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin stepped onto the field of play while Jacoby Jones was running back a kick return. Jones had to turn inside to avoid running into Tomlin, and ended up getting tackled short of the end zone.

The Ravens still won the game, 22-20, and Tomlin received a $100,000 fine. The league could still strip the Steelers organization of a draft pick, which President Art Rooney II said Thursday he would appeal.

Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti commented on the issue for the first time Wednesday during the “State of the Ravens” [added quotes] press conference.

“I’m glad we won the game,” Bisciotti responded when asked about the incident. “My feelings for that move might have been a lot different [had we lost].”

Shortly after the incident, Tomlin told media that he was embarrassed by the play, but that it was “a blunder” and not intentional.

Bisciotti was asked if he thought the incident was a “pure mistake” or whether there was some gamesmanship involved.

“It’s not my job to figure out intent,” Bisciotti said.

“But, [it was] bizarre, weird, strange, unexplainable, and I think Mike was embarrassed about it.”

Bisciotti has been complimentary of Tomlin and the Steelers organization, and he stressed that he has respect for Pittsburgh’s head coach.

“I like Mike a lot,” Tomlin said. “He’s a really good guy. So, his intent – that is completely in his court. He got fined for it, and again, he’s embarrassed as a competitor. Like I said, I’m glad we won.”