Mike Tomlin isn’t going to let the NFL take money from his pocket for not adhering to social distancing measures during games.

The 14-year coach has made sure to wear a black mask over his mouth and nose during the first two games of the Pittsburgh Steelers season. Some NFL coaches have not been so diligent, and five received $100,000 fines for not wearing a mask on the sideline.

Denver’s Vic Fangio, San Francisco’s Kyle Shanahan and Seattle’s Pete Carroll are lighter in the wallet for not adhering to NFL policy. All three teams also were docked an additional $250,000. The two coaches involved in the Monday night game, Las Vegas’ Jon Gruden and New Orleans’ Sean Payton, also were fined.

The collective $1.05 million in fines were levied a week after the NFL sent a memo to teams telling coaches to wear covering over their nose and mouth during games or face discipline if they do not comply. Players are not required to wear masks during games.

“I’m just thankful to be working,” Tomlin said. “A lot of us are not able to in this pandemic circumstance. I don’t take that for granted. I just want to show a good example and show that I’m thankful for working.”

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