NEW YORK --- The editors of GQ Magazine admitted today that they erred when they failed to include Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin in their 2010 NFL Preview.
"We published brilliant ideas to improve the game, came up with FrankenStud, and even interviewed Dononvan McNabb, of all people," editor Jim Nelson said today. "But somehow we forgot to include cool."
Nelson explains why Tomlin deserves the honor. "First of all, he's got the classic aviator sunglasses. He calls his players 'men.' And when an interviewer told him some Steeler ex-coaches were on the opposite sideline, he said, 'I don't care if my mother is on the other sideline.' Some people might think that's cold, but to us it's the epitome of cool."
But what really put Tomlin over the top with GQ was the season's first game with the Falcons. "Both coaches were trying to ice the other side's kicker. The guy for Atlanta [head coach Mike Smith] was running around, making a big 'T' sign with his hands. And then he ends up pulling a hammy later."
"Mike, on the other hand -- and I think he'd be cool with my calling him by his first name --- is wearing all black, has his arms folded across his chest, and all he does is say, "Time out" to the official next to him. He didn't even bother turning his head. That sent a chill down our collective spine."
There is one thing Nelson would tweak on Tomlin, though. "It'd be better if he wore flat-front pants instead of pleats," Nelson said. "He might want to re-think that choice before our 2011 season preview."
