{"id":241413,"date":"2025-07-28T00:22:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T00:22:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/241413\/"},"modified":"2025-07-28T00:22:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T00:22:09","slug":"mike-tomlin-explains-why-he-was-resistant-to-hard-knocks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/241413\/","title":{"rendered":"Mike Tomlin explains why he was ‘resistant’ to ‘Hard Knocks’"},"content":{"rendered":"

When\u00a0Hard Knocks: In Season debuted last season, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin quickly became the show\u2019s central figure<\/a>. The coach, who is entering his 19th season repping the black and gold, is one of the best orators in the league.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s frequently mentioned as someone currently in the league who would excel as a television broadcaster<\/a> should he decide to retire. Anyone who watched last season\u2019s\u00a0Hard Knocks could see why. Tomlin\u2019s turns of phrase are so iconic, in fact, that many fans have begun to call them out as \u201cTomlinisms.\u201d<\/p>\n

So when NFL Network host Kyle Brandt got a chance to sit down with Tomlin during Steelers training camp earlier this week, he needed to get to the bottom of some of the most famous \u201cTomlinisms.\u201d It was then that Tomlin revealed why he was \u201csomewhat resistant\u201d to\u00a0Hard Knocks coming to town last season.<\/p>\n

MIKE TOMLIN #HereWeGo<\/a><\/p>\n

Why he\u2019s excited for Season 19
How do you coach Aaron Rodgers?
Never having a losing season
Explaining his all time Tomlin-isms<\/p>\n

And more. Our whole conversation here. pic.twitter.com\/Tz8fnnsrL4<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) July 27, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cMike Tomlin: I can\u2019t give you all the ingredients to the hotdog, you might not like it,\u201d Brandt posed, eager to hear Tomlin\u2019s explanation for the saying.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, for us, there are certain things that are team-oriented, that are not for everyone to consume,\u201d Tomlin began. \u201cEven those that love football and love us, there are things that happen behind the scenes that are our business. It\u2019s part of us doing the things that we need to do to produce the outcomes that we desire. And sometimes the process isn\u2019t as attractive as the end product, and that\u2019s why I\u2019m somewhat resistant to Hard Knocks and things of that nature, because I\u2019m not really interested in peeling the curtain back all the time. I think these guys are deserving of some privacy that is tough to come by in today\u2019s sport world.\u201d<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a reason\u00a0Hard Knocks is a fan favorite. It\u2019s because the show grants access inside NFL franchises that is quite uncommon.<\/p>\n

But it makes sense that coaches are generally resistant. As Tomlin alluded to, there are likely a number of things that happen inside NFL facilities that aren\u2019t for public consumption. And when it comes to stuff like managing interpersonal relationships, a part of coaching that Tomlin excels at, it\u2019s reasonable to have an expectation of privacy.<\/p>\n

Not everything has to be content. No doubt, Tomlin is sensitive about divulging too much of his process. Enjoy the end product; enjoy the hotdog. But don\u2019t make the Steelers\u2019 coach disclose the ingredients.<\/p>\n

\t