Ed: You Call That a Handshake?

Monday, 03 December 2012 08:28

Written by Ed Bouchette

You could file this under, Not Another Handshake Controversy, if you could call what Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh did after the game last night a real handshake. The two strode across the field toward one another after Shaun Suisham’s 41-yard field goal with no time left gave the Steelers a 23-20 victory. Harbaugh stuck out his hand and said to Tomlin, “Congratulations.’’ Tomlin barely shook it without a word, quickly looked away and appeared ready to bolt elsewhere when a surprise Harbaugh hollered, “Hey, hey, hey!” Tomlin looked back at him and said “Thank you, good job,’’ and then darted off. It would have been a non-issue had CBS cameras not captured the awkward moment. Reporters, obviously unaware of the exchange, did not ask either coach about it nor was it a topic in their respective locker rooms. The basis of Tomlin’s reaction could go back to their game at Heinz Field two weeks earlier. After the Ravens beat the Steelers13-10, Harbaugh said the tougher team had won.