Mike Tomlin: Joey Porter's arrest not a distraction to Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers thumped the Miami Dolphins in the wild-card round, but the team has had to answer for more than its on-field performance as it continues its playoff run.
The Steelers placed outside linebackers coach Joey Porter on leave Monday after he was arrested following an alleged altercation at a local bar hours after the Steelers’ 30-12 victory, leaving the team to answer questions as it prepares to travel for its divisional-round game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
“Obviously it’s a disappointing one, an unfortunate one,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of Porter’s situation to open his news conference. “And one that we’re dealing with. And we’re dealing with in an appropriate manner. To be involved in the National Football League is an honor and a privilege. It’s not a right. We should respect it as such. Obviously that was breached in this circumstance and there are consequences to be suffered as such because of that.”
Porter was charged with felony aggravated assault, along with counts of simple assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and trespassing, according to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania online court records. Porter was also cited for public drunkenness.
Tomlin added that “there is no timetable” on a decision on Porter’s leave.
“We will do what’s appropriate,” Tomlin said. “In this league, we’re all held to a standard of decorum, players, but coaches, front office people, executives even more so, and rightfully so. Obviously we’re treating this with the attention that it deserves.”
With all of that said, Tomlin minimized the incident affecting his team in the postseason moving forward.
“We’re not overly concerned with it being a distraction for us, to be quite honest with you,” Tomlin said. “It’s our job to deal with and overcome distractions and things that pop up from time to time.
“It won’t change our approach to our preparation.”
Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes.
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