Rankings the Best Tomlinisms as Mike Tomlin Leaves Steelers

In typical Tomlin fashion, he refused to engage in the "what if" and responded "you know what they say. If my aunt had male parts, she'd be my uncle."

4. "I can't give you all the ingredients to the hot dog, you might not like it."

Fans and media aren't always privy to what is going on behind the scenes, and Tomlin seemed keen to keep it that way. When asked about if he gave a game ball to former Steelers quarterback Rusell Wilson last season after securing a victory against Wilson's former team, Tomlin had only a hot dog (or the lack thereof) to offer. He also labeled the question as "none of your business".

3. "Don't blink. If you're a blinker, cut your eyelids off"

Tomlin has been quoted on the sideline saying "don't blink" in numerous instances. Any coach could use the metaphor to tell their team to focus, but the insistence that blinkers should cut off their eyelids off became one of Tomlin's signature phrases. In a video assembled by NFL Films and re-shared by insider Adam Schefter after Tomlin's departure, he's seen using the phrase repeatedly on the field and off.

2. "We need volunteers, not hostages."

Tomlin's recruiting and retainment philosophy was widely known throughout the league. When Le'Veon Bell made it clear he was done playing for the Steelers in 2018 by refusing to sign a franchise tag, Tomlin denied the need to force him back into black and gold. The phrase encapsulated Tomlin's desire to have players eager to be in Pittsburgh, not ones who had to be convinced.

1. "The standard is the standard"

The ultimate Tomlinism is, of course, inked into the very walls of Acrisure Stadium. Tomlin once described the phrase as the Steelers' creed, but insisted it's the players themselves that make the mantra come to life. The Steelers under Tomlin were expected to set foot on the field knowing that dominance was expected of them and, thus, the standard was the standard.