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The Steelers' win against the Buccaneers on Monday night was marked by penalties, with 13 fouls against Pittsburgh and nine against Tampa Bay. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is concerned.
Tomlin said today that his concerns were not so much about the penalties that cost his team, as he felt the officials had qualified the game equally for both teams. Instead, says Tomlin, he fears that the NFL will be less popular with his fans if penalty calls constantly interrupt the game.
"Penalties were an important part of the game," said Tomlin. "The sanctions were called in the same way on both sides and in that perspective, it was right. I do not worry a lot about the way the game is organized, provided it's done the same way, and I thought it was in that perspective. But as someone appreciates the game and understands that we are in the sports entertainment industry, it is disturbing from the point of view of the fans. I'm worried about what it's like to watch this game at home with penalties being administered at a rate as it was.
Tomlin makes a good point: fans do not want to see a lot of penalties from officials. They agree to hope to see the game of the players. And in the NFL this year, too often, the penalties have overshadowed the game. In the long run, this may erode the popularity of the sport.
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