U mad, bro?: Steelers media, NFL officials, Pirates front office on the naughty list this holiday season

When the calendar turns to December, there are always three things you can complain about every year.

1. The cold weather.

2. Mall traffic on McKnight Road.

3. The Steelers.

This week reminded me to add two more to the list.

• NFL officiating.

• What the Pirates are doing at the winter meetings.

I’m taking procrastination for Christmas shopping to a new level this year. So I can’t speak to how things are going on Route 19. But everything else feels like fair game.

Let’s have at it in this week’s “U mad, bro?”

Lemon Head believes the officials in the Steelers-Ravens game blew the Isaiah Likely touchdown call that could’ve helped Baltimore win the game.

I haven't heard many people point out that the 3rd element of a catch is "a football move" OR "the time to do so". Likely had time to bake a cake while he held the ball in the endzone and took almost 3 giant strides. That was a TD, and those officials should be fired.

— Lemon Head (@BringLemons) December 10, 2025

Well, to be fair, those officials called it a TD first. New York overturned it.

So let’s back off the on-field refs, OK? They are doing a fine job and are burdened by an overly complicated NFL rulebook. Those hard-working, dedicated Zebras should be applau….

…eh, who am I kidding? Sure, fire ‘em all.

I posted this message about that controversial call after the Steelers ended up winning the game.

All of Pittsburgh knows that's an awful rule. Even if that wasn't the right interpretation of it (& it may have been) there is an expectation now that if you don't carry the ball out of the end zone &take it home with you,it's incomplete. Balt got screwed worse on the FG penalty.

— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) December 7, 2025

Ken replied to me.

Learn the rule Tim

— Ken Henry (@soccerboss1972) December 8, 2025

I know the rule, Ken. That’s why I’m saying I disagree with how it is written, worded, intended and applied — for all teams. I don’t simply support it when the Steelers benefit from it.

How ‘bout you?

Here is how Mike replied to that message.

“Let’s give Pittsburgh a loss then, @TimBenzPGH, so all you Pittsburgh media guys can keep (complaining) about them!”

Mike, the great thing about the Steelers is that they don’t have to lose to give us a ton to (complain) about. You saw the offense in the fourth quarter, right?

But thanks for the offer anyway.

This guy thinks he has some inside information on what the Pirates’ failed offer to Kyle Schwarber really was.

I heard Pittsburgh offered him 50,000 a year, 40 coupons to Primanti’s, and free passes to Phipps Conservatory

— BondJBond (@aintthequestn) December 9, 2025

I’d make that deal. How about you, Utivich? You make that deal?

via GIPHY

Scott thinks the Pirates are just trying to ride the Steelers’ wave of recent good vibes!

they saw how well the “we tried to sign X wide receiver” worked for the Steelers and gave it a shot

— Scott in Jersey (@blitzum) December 9, 2025

I look forward to an Opening Day Pirates outfield of Brandon Aiyuk, Christian Kirk and Courtland Sutton with Jakobi Meyers at first base.

Related:

• First Call: Kenny Pickett likely to start for Las Vegas; timing changes coming for NFL Draft
• Mike Tomlin's 'hot seat' response has more layers than you might think

It appears Brian thinks I’m being too hard on the Pirates. Here’s a social media exchange we had about the Pirates level of sincerity after losing out on Schwarber on Tuesday.

’Sorry you’re sad. Maybe one day you’ll grow up.”

Brian also sent me a screen shot of the definition for “maladaptive coping mechanism,” suggesting that was the root of my cynicism toward the Pirates.

This is how I replied.

If you're naive enough to believe their B.S. year after year, despite three decades of evidence to the contrary, then I'm not the one who needs to grow up, Cupcake. pic.twitter.com/CM94r189Rd

— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) December 10, 2025

For Brian’s sake, I also sent him a simple definition of “sanctimony.”

Finally, Phil seems to agree with Brian. He’s not mad, though. He’s nice.

Maybe tooooooo nice.

“I enjoy reading your, and the Tribune Review’s, work about the Pirates. Your December 10 article, ‘Diving into Deep Waters,’ gave me the impression that perhaps you were a little ‘down?’ If so, read the attached article about 10 great moments in Pirates history presented by Alex Stumpf. It will surely mitigate that condition. Hope that there are lots of Hot Stove League Christmas presents for our Pirates this year. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours. Like our Pirates, may 2026 be your best year ever!”

Thanks, Phil. I appreciate your concern about the state of my emotional health and your efforts to reach out. Great list indeed.

Wouldn’t it be nice if any of the events on that list happened more recently than 12 years ago?

And in terms of “hot stove Christmas presents,” Santa tends to fly over Pittsburgh every year and leaves us wanting like we are Cousin Eddie’s children from “Christmas Vacation.”

Now, how about a list of significant free agent signings in Pittsburgh since Francisco Liriano?

Happy Holidays to you, too, Phil. But I’m not greedy. I don’t need 2026 to be the Pirates’ best year ever. I’ll settle for about 85 wins and a wild card appearance. How would that be?