Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick Challenges Controversial Penalty: "I Thought We Were Playing Football"
Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick found himself at the center of a storm during the third quarter of Sunday’s game when he was penalized for unnecessary roughness on what the officials deemed a defenseless player. But Fitzpatrick was left scratching his head, questioning the very essence of the sport he has loved since he was a niño.
“I thought we were playing football,” a visibly frustrated Fitzpatrick lamented after the game. “I don’t know what we’re playing at this point. It’s a very different game from what I grew up playing and what I grew up loving. Can’t hit nobody hard, can’t be violent. So I don’t know. I don’t know what to say anymore.”
Controversial Call: A Split-Second Judgement
The pivotal moment came as the Steelers’ defense faced off against Colts’ wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Fitzpatrick read the play like a book, charging toward Mitchell. As the ball slipped from Mitchell’s grasp, Fitzpatrick seemingly held back, ensuring he didn’t lead with his head. However, contact was inevitable, and the ball falling incomplete didn’t help his case. Despite the hit not appearing egregious, the referees’ flags soared into the Pittsburgh sky like exploding fireworks on the Fourth of July.
On CBS, analyst Adam Archuleta didn’t mince words, expressing his disagreement with the penalty. Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick’s comrade, DeShon Elliott, succinctly branded it as “bullshit.”
Frustrations Boiling Over
Fitzpatrick’s bewilderment deepened as he reflected on the situation. “They said he’s a defenseless player, and I hit him in the head,” he said, disbelief evident in his voice. “I don’t understand how he’s defenseless. If he’s going for the ball, I’m going to make a play on him or the ball. Just because he puts his arms down at the last second, [it] shouldn’t be a penalty. Didn’t hit him in the head either. But like I said, you hit people hard, and they throwing flags now.”
A Game-Changing Moment
The implications of the 15-yard penalty were significant. It bolstered the Colts’ momentum, setting the stage for a touchdown that stretched their lead to 24-10 with 14:43 remaining on the clock. The plot thickened, and the Steelers found themselves needing a Hail Mary to claw back into contention.
“I have every single right to go for the ball,” Fitzpatrick asserted, his tone a mix of defiance and confusion. “If I don’t clean him and put my head into his head, it shouldn’t be a penalty. I’m allowed to go for the ball, just like he’s allowed to go for the ball, and I don’t even know how we’re supposed to play anymore.”
It was a day where passion met perplexity, irony danced with indignation, and the age-old question of what constitutes a legal hit in football took center stage. As the Steelers regroup and strategize for their next clash, one thing is for sure—Minkah Fitzpatrick’s frustration is shared by many who remember the gritty, heart-pounding football of old.
