Steelers Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick Rips Penalty Call: ‘I Thought We Were Playing Football’

INDIANAPOLIS — Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick does not believe that he should have received a penalty on a third-quarter play against the Indianapolis Colts that ended with a 15-yard foul and was a crucial turning point in what became a 27-24 Steelers loss to the Colts. Fitzpatrick hit Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell high and late after an incomplete pass from Flacco to Mitchell in the third quarter.

He was flagged and given a 15-yard personal foul, which helped the Colts along on what became a touchdown drive when Joe Flacco hit Drew Ogletree six plays later. Fitzpatrick said that officials told him he hit a defenseless receiver in the head, but he disagreed with the call.

“I thought we were playing football. I don’t know what we’re playing at this point. It’s a very different game than what I playing and what I grew up loving. Can’t hit nobody hard. Can’t be violent. So, I don’t know what to say anymore.”

“I don’t understand how he’s defenseless,” Fitzpatrick said. “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 should be a penalty. I didn’t hit him in the head, either. You hit people hard and they’re throwing flags.”

Fitzpatrick finished the game with nine tackles, second on the Steelers. He was a part of a passing defense that yielded a total of 239 yards on 19 of 30 passing combined by Colts starter Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco. It was a hit by Fitzpatrick in the first quarter that knocked Richardson out of the game.

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick chases Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor on Sept. 29, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

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