Mike Tomlin Disagreed with Call on Ray-Ray McCloud’s Taunting Penalty

Head coach Mike Tomlin stepped in and benched Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool when he received a taunting penalty against the Minnesota Vikings a few weeks ago.

On Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud also received a taunting foul. But he remained a large part of the offense throughout the rest of the game, finishing second with eight targets.

So what was different? This time, Tomlin disagreed with the penalty.

“I categorically disagree with it,” he said. “I thought Ray-Ray McCloud was signaling first down and he turned around and the guy just happened to be there. I think we have to exercise some common sense.” 

Tomlin has been a proponent of the league’s crackdown on taunting in general. The Steelers have been flagged just three times this season.