Recently, Mike Tomlin brought light to a serious issue the NFL currently faces. However, Shannon Sharpe believes that Tomlin’s comments reek of hypocrisy.
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Last week, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin appeared on HBO’s Real Sports, attempting to draw attention to the lack of diversity in positions of leadership in the NFL.
“I normally don’t talk publicly during the offseason, but this is a critical issue for us,” said Tomlin who is one of just 3 black head coaches in the NFL. “As important as this is for us in the NFL, it’s also important for us as a society. It deserves all the attention it gets.”
Specifically speaking, Tomlin was upset about the Eric Bieniemy situation, as many others have been this offseason. Bieniemy is the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator who was passed up for a head coaching job despite 7 teams changing theirs.
He is a black man, which is the main reason that the situation has gained so much steam. “Bieniemy is a real head-scratcher for me,” Tomlin said. “Every offensive coordinator Andy Reid has had in the last 20 years got a head job.
“One of those guys, Brad Childress, hired me in Minnesota in 2006. Now, Andy has the best offense he’s ever had and [Bieniemy] can’t get a job?”
“I don’t have an answer for you as to how to make it better,” Tomlin continued “The optimist in me says things will get better, but there’s been no evidence in the recent cycles to back that up. Without evidence, all we have is hope. We just haven’t been able to move the needle.”
Shannon Sharpe Calls Out Mike Tomlin for Hypocrisy
Shannon Sharpe was clearly unimpressed with Tomlin’s interview. He tweeted about it saying, “Mike Tomlin is in position to hire black coordinators and he hasn’t in 14 years, so I’m not going to let him throw stones at everyone else.”
He went on a heated rant on the topic on “Undisputed” and included a clip of it on his Twitter:
In anticipation of the criticism he would receive for not hiring a black coordinator in 14 years, Tomlin said the following. “I always do what is best for our organization. I believe in hiring from within in most cases. …I’m highly sensitive to it, but I don’t regret (not having a Black coordinator). I’ve had some good (Black) coaches leave for other jobs.”
However, Shannon was clearing not buying it. Infuriated, he yelled, “What the hell do you think this other teams are saying? They’re hiring the best person for the job. You’re doing exactly what you said they should not do!”
“I’m not letting you off the hook Mike Tomlin. You Were In A Position to Hire Black People. You Have Not Done That!”
