Fact Check: Did Mike Tomlin Actually Have an Affair With a Nurse, Nina Pagley?

Nineteen seasons in Pittsburgh. Two Super Bowl appearances and one Lombardi Trophy. No losing seasons, and a 193-114-2 overall record. That is the resume Mike Tomlin walked away with after stepping down as head coach of the Steelers. And just so we’re clear, he was not forced out. Team owner Art Rooney II cleared that in a statement.

“I was certainly willing to take another run at it next year with Mike,” stated Rooney, adding that Tomlin stepped away to spend more time with his family. Tomlin’s own statement was straightforward and free of drama, too. It was a clean and respectful exit. Still, that did not stop the internet from spreading rumors and so-called reports about why Tomlin really stepped away from the game.

Claim: Tomlin stepped away from coaching due to an alleged affair with a nurse named Nina Pagley, who some say is pregnant and carrying his child.

Source of the Claim: Facebook, Reddit, TikTok, and X… The social media platforms are filled with posts pushing the same story.

Some accounts, hiding behind fake profile pictures, have even quote-retweeted news about Tomlin leaving the Steelers while attaching the affair claim. A few, meanwhile, have shared photos of Tomlin alongside a woman, implying it is the same person he’s having an affair with.

Verdict: False. Rumors that Mike Tomlin resigned as Head Coach of the Steelers due to an alleged affair with a nurse named Nina Pagley are false as well as flat-out disgusting.

Tomlin’s departure surprised many fans, but for some corners of the internet, a routine coaching exit was not entertaining enough. So they filled the void with baseless accusations. If we add context, the story easily falls apart.

The woman named in the rumor is not a known athlete, actress, influencer, or public figure of any kind. There is no credible information about her online, and there is no confirmation that she even exists. Pennsylvania’s professional licensing database does not list her name as a nurse, either.

As for the pregnancy and paternity claims, there are no public records, court filings, or statements backing any of it. Zero. That alone should shut the door on the rumor.

Some posts had gone even further, alleging Tomlin had signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), agreeing to monthly payments, and paying out millions to keep the situation quiet. Once again, there is no evidence. No reports. No filings. Nothing verifiable.

Tomlin has been married to his wife, Kiya, since 1996, back when he was a graduate assistant at Memphis. The couple has three children and has long been described as a close-knit, supportive family. Smearing them with made-up rumors for clicks and engagement crosses a line. These so-called online reporters need to understand that.

For now, Tomlin is out of the NFL spotlight. Some reports have even suggested he may never coach again. Whether that holds remains to be seen. If he does resurface, it could be on a sideline or perhaps in a broadcast booth as an analyst. Wouldn’t that be something?