Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick Gives Strong Answer Regarding Ridiculous Penalty During Week 3 Victory

The Pittsburgh Steelers began the process of righting the ship on Sunday night, walking away from their 2023 Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders with a victory. The game could hardly be considered smooth sailing, though, as both the offense and defense of the Steelers were tested. Good teams overcome bad calls; that's the law of the gridiron. That law was tested late in Sunday night's contest when Minkah Fitzpatrick was on the receiving end of a horrendous roughing the passer call, something he made sure to vocalize following the game.

Steelers Fitzpatrick's Big Moment Erased By Referees

It's a common occurrence for the referees to make a call that is wavering on that line between correct and questionable, but then there are calls like the one against Fitzpatrick. The Steelers seemed to have a decent grip on the game, leading 23-7 with 7:18 left to go in the fourth quarter. The Raiders were driving, and with the ball at the Steelers' 18-yard line, the defense once again stepped up as Fitzpatrick burst through for a violent, but completely legal sack on Jimmy Garoppolo.

The flash of yellow in the air let everyone know that the referees disagreed with the legality of the hit, despite what the replays showed everyone in Allegiant Stadium and those watching around the world. Fitzpatrick had just made a great defensive play at a key moment, but the flag lying on the field told a very different, incorrect story.

It wasn't just a backbreaking penalty; it was the catalyst that led to the Raiders scoring on that drive and closing the gap to a 23-15 lead with time waning in the game. The Steelers found ways to leave Las Vegas with a win, but it wasn't because the officials didn't try their best.

Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick Incensed By Bad Call

Following the Steelers' second victory in three weeks of 2023, Fitzpatrick spoke to the media, although his demeanor was much less than cheerful despite the win.

It has to be disheartening when you make that defensive splash play right when your team needs it, all for the referees to take it away. It hurts even worse when you and the world know that the penalty was a complete blunder on the part of the officials. Fitzpatrick was asked directly whether he thought he did anything wrong on the penalty, a roughing the passer call, and the Pittsburgh safety didn't avoid it at all.

"No, not at all."

Sometimes you can tell when a player has more they want to say, but are simply holding back. Fitzpatrick's response was purposely concise and to the point. This is a proud, dynamic defensive star who was robbed of a game-changing moment by a horrendous error, and you could still see the residual rage lurking on his shoulders.

Fitzpatrick was then asked if he was as surprised as everyone else when the flag came out, and the answer was given with the same matter-of-fact tone that his last one consisted of.

"Yeah."

To finish up the media session, the Steelers safety was asked if he was given any explanation on the field regarding the penalty call. Before he responded, Fitzpatrick did his best to curtail any sarcasm, but it came through in his answer anyway.

"They said he ducked, and I hit him in his head when he ducked. That's it."

Fitzpatrick took a moment during the response to shrug and pause, making it quite clear that the officials' reasoning for the call was hardly enough. Granted, the call didn't take victory from the Steelers, but it certainly made the win harder to achieve. You can be sure that Fitzpatrick will still aim to make those same game-changing plays in the biggest moments; all we can do is hope that when he does, the referees stay out of it.

Was Fitzpatrick's hit on Jimmy Garoppolo a penalty or not? Comment below!

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