Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick expresses frustration over controversial roughness penalty in defeat
Following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first loss of the season against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Minkah Fitzpatrick voiced his discontent—not just about a single incident, but what he perceives as an ongoing issue.
During the third quarter of the hard-fought game, Fitzpatrick was penalized for unnecessary roughness with the Steelers trailing 27-24. On a second-and-10 play from the Colts’ 42-yard line, quarterback Joe Flacco—who filled in for the injured Anthony Richardson—overthrew rookie wideout Adonai Mitchell. Shortly after the pass was deemed incomplete, Fitzpatrick made contact with Mitchell near the sidelines, hitting him on the shoulder.
This penalty extended a drive that ultimately resulted in a touchdown, pushing the Colts ahead 24-10.
“I thought we were out here playing football. I’m not sure what we are actually doing anymore,” Fitzpatrick commented to the media after the game. “It’s a very different game from what I grew up playing and loved. You can’t hit anybody hard. You can’t be aggressive. I’m at a loss for words.”
Fitzpatrick wasn’t the only one unhappy about the call after the game.
“That was (expletive),” Steelers safety DeShon Elliott mentioned, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “I don’t care That was not right. What he did wasn’t illegal. There was nothing malicious about it.”
“He didn’t even hit him in the head; he led with the shoulder. If anything, he eased up. So I have no idea what that was all about.”
The Steelers will aim to recover next Sunday as they take on the Dallas Cowboys at home.