“Your Franchise Will Crumble Without Him”: NFL Fans and Shaquille O’Neal Fight Back “Fire Him” Demands Against Coach Who Almost Stole Patrick Mahomes From Chiefs

Sean McVay recently became the youngest head coach to win the Super Bowl. However, long before McVay and his Los Angeles Rams, that accomplishment belonged to another titan of the league. Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is known for his relentless pursuit of victory and his ability to transform adversity into triumph. However, with the Steelers not achieving the desired success for a long time, Tomlin is not a fan favorite anymore. That narrative took a positive spin this week when a viral clip of the Steelers HC surfaced on the internet. 

A sideline chat between Tomlin and one of his players took the internet by storm as the Pittsburgh fan base recalled the true potential of their Lombardi-winning head coach. And it wasn’t just the Steel Curtain fanatics who were impressed by this inspiring clip. NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal also rallied behind Tomlin and shared the video on his Instagram story.  

Mike Tomlin had some Harsh but Meaningful Advice for a Steelers legend 

LaShawn Maurkice Pouncey is a Pittsburgh legend and a potential future first-ballot Hall of Famer. The 9x Pro Bowler played as a center for the Steel Curtain for 11 years. However, that didn’t stop Mike Tomlin from giving him an earful on the sidelines during an NFL game. When Pouncey decided to engage in a personal beef with two minutes left on the clock, Tomlin gave him a fiery speech. 

“Why are you fighting with that clock running? Sometimes we have to put our personal pride aside when the cause is bigger than you,” Tomlin yelled at his veteran center. Lakers legend Shaq shared the clip on his Instagram. 

The comment section in the IG clip was filled with support for Tomlin. This was a complete U-turn in the franchise fan base’s sentiments, who started ‘Fire Him’ and ‘Fire Mike Tomlin’ petitions on social media in the past few years. 

“I ain’t even a Steelers fan. I have to respect this coach. And to all the fans and others saying ‘Fire Tomlin’. I promise your franchise would crumble without him. He is a wise leader of men,” one fan wrote. “Didn’t disrespect him, got his attention, gave him the facts, and summed it up for what it’s actually about. THE TEAM,” another commented. 

One fan, nevertheless, carried on the Tomlin hate. Reiterating the head coach’s words, the fan wrote, “The cause is greater. The cause is to win. Please resign.” 

ALSO READ: Unaware of New York’s Intentions, Pittsburgh’s Pride Mike Tomlin Planned a Covert Operation With Bill Belichick to Counter Jets

The Steelers could have probably reached the promised land once or twice in the past decade had Tomlin succeeded in landing the reigning Super Bowl MVP. 

Tomlin almost secured Patrick Mahomes back in 2017 

Before drafting Kenny Pickett, Mike Tomlin had planned to rope in Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 draft. Mahomes was going to take the Steelers in the winning direction as the Ben Roethlisberger era was coming to an end. However, Mahomes went off the table long before the Steelers could pick. Andy Reid and the KC Chiefs secured the gunslinger’s talents, and the rest is history. 

Can Kenny Pickett revive the Steelers dynasty and help put an end to the ‘Fire Mike Tomlin’ social media campaigns? 

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