PITTSBURGH (Jan. 18, 2006) -- Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter won't be fined by the NFL for criticizing officials after the Steelers beat Indianapolis.
NFL coaches are subject to fines for criticizing officials, but players usually aren't fined.
Porter, a Pro Bowl selection and one of the Steelers' co-captains, criticized referee Pete Morelli's crew repeatedly during a series of postgame interviews following a 21-18 win in the AFC divisional round. Among other comments, Porter said, "The whole world wanted Indy to win so bad, they were going to do whatever they had to do."
NFL spokesman Steve Alic said there would be no fine for the remarks. Alic didn't elaborate.
Porter was most angered when an apparent interception by Troy Polamalu was reversed on replay, allowing the Colts to score their second touchdown during a frantic but failed rally in the fourth quarter. The NFL issued a statement Monday that the interception should have stood.
During his news conference, Cowher called Porter's remarks "ridiculous" and said, "Our officials are doing the very best that they can do."
