The Pittsburgh Steelers star cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was in for a tough challenge in Week 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals. He was tasked with slowing down arguably the best wide receiver in the league in Ja'Marr Chase. When he got a break from Chase, he would matchup against another top wide receiver in Tee Higgins.
It’s no easy task, and Porter had done a decent job up until the later parts of the game. Porter was flagged six times and struggled in some of the bigger moments. He even had a chance to seal the game with a gifted interception, but he dropped it. It was a tough moment for the rising star, but Head Coach Mike Tomlin knew exactly what he needed to hear.
Tomlin, never one to shy away from delivering a tough message, stepped in with his trademark intensity in practice. In a preview for Hard Knocks featuring the entire AFC North, Tomlin didn't sugarcoat the situation. He reminded Porter that great players are defined not just by their successes, but how they bounce back from adversity. Tomlin walked over to Porter as he was putting in his contacts before a practice.
"New week, new issues, let’s go," Tomlin said to Porter. "Sometimes that is just being you. Sometimes I think that you care more about that than I do."
Tomlin seemed to be speaking directly to Porter about his rough outing, offering a moment of clarity. Porter, acknowledging his struggles, agreed with Tomlin and admitted that he cares deeply about avoiding mistakes.
He explained that his desire to be great is what makes him so invested in every play. Tomlin, with his usual calm yet firm demeanor, reminded him that greatness takes time and is a result of continuous growth, emphasizing the importance of patience and persistence in the pursuit of excellence.
"You gonna be great, but you ain't gonna be great today," Tomlin said. "You better push forward towards it today, but it ain't gonna happen as quickly as you like. It ain't never gonna happen as quickly as you'd like. You played four games at Penn State in 2019 and you probably thought you should started them all. It’s how sh** go."
Porter has been a bright spot in the Steelers' secondary since being drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. In the early stages of his NFL career, he's already shown great promise, but there’s still plenty of room for growth.
That said, his potential for greatness is undeniable. His work ethic and attitude are valuable assets to the Steelers’ defense, and his on-field performance has lived up to the expectations of his second-round selection.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Continues To Show Why He's A Great Leader
Despite his impressive start, Porter's rough outing against the Bengals clearly bothered him. However, it was a defining moment for Steeler Nation to witness him being coached up by one of the best leaders in professional sports, Tomlin.
Tomlin has a unique ability to connect with players, speaking directly to them in a way that motivates and challenges. He’s never afraid to tell the harsh truths, pushing even his top players to continually improve and grow. It was a very cool moment for Steelers fans to see Tomlin speaking to Porter about a tough moment.
