First Call: Steeler fans rejoice over Mike Tomlin's challenge win, Heinz Field's new hero

In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Steelers fans go wild over Mike Tomlin winning a challenge and Zach Banner getting announced. Ken Whisenhunt got fired. And Bill Belichick won’t leave.

Much rejoicing!

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was on a streak of losing 11 straight challenges dating back to 2017.

That changed last night when he challenged a spot of Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick trying to get a first down.

When Tomlin got the challenge right, the internet exploded with glee. It was like Tomlin had just pulled off a game-winning trick play in the Super Bowl.

There’s a sinkhole in the middle of Pittsburgh.
Neil Huntington is no longer the GM.
Mike Tomlin won a challenge. pic.twitter.com/OGqc8TPG3W

— Brandon Rossier (@brossier12) October 29, 2019

TOMLIN WON A CHALLENGE??? #MIAvsPIT pic.twitter.com/ABrfqC1hxc

— T Hef (@HeflinTroy) October 29, 2019

The Pirates are cleaning house, a PAT bus fell into the upside-down, and Mike Tomlin just won a challenge. pic.twitter.com/2eOY7xi3Tj

— christy c. (@cmclementi) October 29, 2019

TOMLIN WON A CHALLENGE pic.twitter.com/5hTooQtmlP

— I am so sad (@HayekandHockey) October 29, 2019

Mike Tomlin after he finally won a challenge pic.twitter.com/MC8DX83i84

— Brent Trujillo (@brentwurst50) October 29, 2019

Wait a damn minute... Tomlin finally won a challenge? #Steelers #Tomlin pic.twitter.com/qlryfMPWVf

— Proud Bahamian ?? (@ISLANDCHULA28) October 29, 2019

Come to think of it, that game-winning trick play in the Super Bowl would’ve been less surprising.

Cult hero

Heinz Field needs a new hero it can collectively embrace for minimal reasons.

It used to be Jesse James because everyone just assumed he was Heath Miller. Now it appears to be Zach Banner. The Steelers backup lineman has the honor of being the sixth guy upfront when the Steelers offense wants to go to its jumbo formation.

Whenever the Steelers do that, the referee has to announce, “No. 72 is eligible.”

The Steelers went with the heavy set so often Monday, Banner was getting more air-time in-house than any player in the history of the building.

So the crowd was reacting with a unified mock cheer every time Banner’s number was announced.

After the game, some reporters went to Banner’s locker to ask him about it. This did not go over well with fellow offensive lineman David DeCastro, who was asked if that set has a name.

“He’s got enough attention,” DeCastro joked. “We don’t need a name for it. Look at him! He’s got five or six cameras over there.”

The Steelers had some success with that formation as DeCastro and the tight ends pulled on blocks very effectively out of it.

Make it stop

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick once said he didn’t feel as if he’d coach into his 70s.

That was encouraging. Because Father Time — much like Belichick’s current team — is undefeated.

But now that he’s 67, Belichick is changing his tune.

“When I said it, maybe I didn’t know what 70 felt like,” Belichick told WEEI radio. “So I’m not really sure if that’s an accurate statement today or not. At the time, I didn’t feel that way. Now that I’m closer to that age, I don’t know.”

Oh. Awesome.

*Sigh.*

"Wiz" whacked

The Los Angeles Chargers fired former Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt Monday.

Los Angeles’ offense ranked 17th in total yards and 24th in points scored. He had been with the team since 2016. L.A. hadn’t topped 20 points since Week 4 against Miami.

That was his second tour of duty with the Chargers as O.C.

Jumped!

Pitt’s women’s volleyball team had a clear path to the No. 1 ranking in the NCAA.

The Panthers beat Notre Dame and Louisville last week as the third-ranked team in the country. Baylor and Stanford lost during the week, so it appeared Pitt may vault into the top slot.

But no luck. Texas was ranked fourth in the country. And the Longhorns were the group that took out Baylor, so they jumped Pitt all the way into first.

The 21-1 Panthers host 11-10 Wake Forest on Friday.