Tagliabue Still Defending Decision on Holmgren

NEW YORK--Paul Tagliabue continues to defend his decision not to fine Mike Holmgren for the Seattle Seahawks coach's criticism of the officiating during his team's Super Bowl loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Tagliabue first said at the annual league meeting in March in Orlando, Fla., that he'd had a letter informing Holmgren that he would be fined prepared, but that letter never had been sent. Tagliabue said he'd decided not to fine Holmgren after Holmgren told owners and fellow coaches at the league meeting that the Steelers had won the game fairly.

During an NBC broadcast Sunday, announcer Al Michaels suggested that Tagliabue's decision not to fine Holmgren amounted to a concession that the officiating in the Super Bowl was not up to par. Tagliabue said Monday: "It sure as heck was not what Al Michaels said. It sure as heck was not an acknowledgement that the officiating in the Super Bowl was poor."

The outgoing commissioner said Holmgren and the Seahawks will be told that Holmgren's remarks indeed were a violation of league rules and if there are any repeat violations in the future, that would be used as the basis for a more stringent disciplinary measure.

Tagliabue's decision not to fine Holmgren came just after he'd announced his retirement as commissioner, and he said Monday: "I in effect granted my first pardon as the outgoing commissioner."

By Mark Maske |  August 22, 2006; 3:22 PM ET  | Category:  Commissioner , Seahawks
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Posted by: JW | August 22, 2006 5:45 PM

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