Without Steelers' Mike Tomlin The NFL World Likely Would Have Never Known Pat McAfee

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season in his 18 years leading the team. Tomlin has shown why he's such a great coach throughout his time in the Steel City, especially since HBO's Hard Knocks came out featuring all of the AFC North teams in its in-season special. NFL fans and Steeler Nation have gotten a glimpse of inside the Steelers' facility and how Tomlin prepares his team each week. He has arguably stolen the show with his coaching techniques and relationships with his players. Tomlin currently has the third best odds to win the NFL Coach of the Year Award, but there's still time in the season to showcase why he's one of the best coaches overall in the NFL.

Tomlin has even made impacts on players who he hasn't even coached. Former NFL punter and kicker specialist Pat McAfee had Tomlin on ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show ahead of Week 15. After Tomlin's interview was done, McAfee recalled how Tomlin played a major role in getting him noticed by NFL scouts and eventually helping him get drafted.

"Yeah, he led me through my Senior Pro Day workout," McAfee said. "I think if he didn't do that, I don't know how many teams would've came down because the indoor facility was where the workout was happening, everybody's running their 40s, jumping... So, the kicking though had to be outside because the roof wasn't high enough... Not a guarantee that everybody was just going to go down. I wasn't invited to the combine either, so it was a massive day for me."

McAfee went on to warm up and punt inside the West Virginia indoor facility, but the balls were banging off the roof. Tomlin then approached him and told him he'd lead him through his workout and to let him know when he wanted to walk down to the outdoor field. 

"That was like a big moment for me," McAfee recalled. "And he literally did like lead a parade of just like scouts right down the tunnel onto the field. He walked out, put me through a field goal workout. He was talking sh*t to me while I was hitting field goals. And then the Colts and the Patriots had me punt... Basically I tell you all of that to say like, Mike Tomlin pretty much hooked me up."

McAfee ended up being drafted in the seventh round by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2009 NFL Draft, punting and kicking for them for eight seasons. Tomlin was going into his third season as the Steelers' head coach during McAfee's Pro Day, so it's amazing to hear his impact early in his career.

Even to this day, Tomlin has an influence around the league. He has gained much respect from players and coaches. Even with up and down teams he's had to coach, Tomlin's non-losing season record still holds strong, showcasing he can coach almost anyone and uphold that record. McAfee has a compelling story with Tomlin and he noted in his show that he'll forever be in debt to Tomlin.

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Still Draws Criticism From A Record Of His

Tomlin is a great coach overall, but there's still an aspect in his career that makes some fans not fully support him and that's his playoff record. The Steelers only have three playoff wins in the last 10 years after appearing in 10 postseason games between 2014 to 2024. 

The last time the Steelers won a playoff game was in 2017 against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional round. They ended up losing to a Tom Brady led New England Patriots team in the AFC Championship game. This year does feel different as the Steelers are led by Russell Wilson who has opened up the offense and the defense being considered as one of the best in the league. Pittsburgh is currently 10-3 and has a chance to clinch the playoffs in Week 15 and win the AFC North in Week 16, as it plays the Baltimore Ravens in its second rematch.

What do you think of Tomlin's story with McAfee? Let us know in the comments below!

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