Things got emotional in the Steelers locker room last week when Mike Tomlin announced he would be resigning as the team’s head coach after 19 years.
Tomlin always seemed to be well-liked by most of the players, and his long tenure in Pittsburgh earned him the loyalty of those who played for him, especially those who spent several seasons with him. When Tomlin shared the news with his players that his time in the Steel City was coming to an end, many of them were saddened by the news.
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Perhaps hardest hit is veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who may also be facing a tough decision about his future after wrapping up his 21st season in the NFL. This is Rodgers’ first season under Tomlin, but he reportedly has a lot of admiration and respect for the longtime Steelers head coach. Tomlin told his team it would be “best for the team” if he stepped away from his role, and Rodgers reportedly sobbed and kept saying “I’m sorry” to his coach — perhaps out of guilt for the season ending this way and leading to Tomlin’s departure, as Rodgers was brought in to address the team’s quarterback woes.
But it wasn’t just Rodgers who reacted this way. TJ Watt, who spent his entire nine-season NFL career with the Steelers under Tomlin, reportedly had visible tears in his eyes and kept repeating “no, no, no” when the news broke. Meanwhile, Joey Porter Jr., who played for Tomlin for three seasons in Pittsburgh, reportedly experienced a bout of hyperventilation after hearing the news — Porter and Tomlin are said to have a close relationship, and the young Joey Porter Jr. has spent his entire NFL career under Tomlin. The cornerback considers his now former coach family.
While it remains to be seen what happens next for the Steelers, and while many are calling for change after the team’s seventh consecutive playoff loss, the reality is that no one in the Pittsburgh locker room is happy to see their coach say goodbye.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown: Steelers players react to Mike Tomlin’s sudden departure