The $10,000 fine that Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak received for his part in a sideline scuffle during a playoff game between the Steelers and the rival Cincinnati Bengals has been rescinded, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
NFL rescinds Steelers OL coach Mike Munchak’s $10,000 fine for pulling Reggie Nelson’s hair
Munchak was docked $10,000 for grabbing Nelson’s dreadlocks, but that fine was reportedly rescinded.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Munchak was originally fined for yanking Reggie Nelson’s hair when the safety approached the Pittsburgh sideline. His hand clearly pulled on Nelson’s dreadlocks, whether intentionally or not, which resulted in both a penalty on the Steelers and the fine.
The coach claimed that he inadvertently grabbed Nelson’s hair, and claimed he tried to bear-hug Nelson to lessen the impact when the safety attempted to tackle Jordan Todman. It’s still unclear whether the hair-grab was intentional, but if the league rescinded the fine they have to think its at least a possibility that it was not.
Munchak isn't the only Steelers coach who faced discipline for his actions in the playoff game night. Steelers linebacker coach Joey Porter illegally stepped onto the field after Vontaze Burfict's big hit on Antonio Brown and appeared to coax Adam Jones into coming at him.
Jones was restrained by the officials and flagged 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct. Burfict’s unnecessary roughness penalty and Jones’ actions cost the Bengals 30 yards and set up the game-winning field goal for Pittsburgh.
Munchak is heading into his third season as the Steelers' offensive line coach. He served as the Tennessee Titans' head coach from 2011 through 2013, posting a record of 22-26.
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