Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin met with commissioner Roger Goodell and other NFL officials Thursday at the league's headquarters in New York to discuss recent statements and actions regarding player safety, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
The Steelers, through a spokesman, confirmed Tomlin, along with team owner Art Rooney, being in New York for a meeting at the league's headquarters. Sources said Tomlin was there to discuss rules geared at player safety, given the recent comments and actions of players, such as Pittsburgh safety Ryan Clark, who have been repeat offenders in receiving unnecessary roughness penalties for illegal hits.
“Mr. Rooney and Commissioner Goodell thought it would be a good idea to meet with our football staff and coach Tomlin to review on-field issues that have been the focus of discussion recently,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in a statement.
Clark said recently that his hit on Baltimore Ravens tight end Ed Dickson, which resulted in a $40,000 fine, was used by the team in meetings as an example of a legal tackle.
These meetings with the NFL are not uncommon -- Lions officials were there just a few weeks ago. Given the remarks by Steelers players about not agreeing with and/or understanding recent fines, and with the Steelers on a bye, this was an opportunity to review film and specific incidents with the NFL's football operations department.
Other NFL officials in attendance included vice president of officiating Carl Johnson, assistant director of operations Merton Hanks and competition committee co-chair Jeff Fisher.
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