‘We were here for a long and really good time’

That modified Thursday. But first, in correctly chivalrous vogue, his spouse, Kiya, delivered a message of appreciation.

“We never did it for the recognition, but I just want to thank you,” she stated. “More importantly, I want to thank all the many communities in Pittsburgh that really welcomed us with open arms. It has truly been an honor to serve Pittsburgh for 19 years. Thank you.”

Tomlin wasn’t completed, after all. The grasp of idioms and motivational phrases (plus a true king of the Tuesday morning filibuster), Tomlin ensured he’d make his message clear.

“It’s been an honor to serve the greatest organization in sports,” he stated. “It’s been an honor to be a a part of this nice neighborhood, to name it dwelling, for our children to name it dwelling. We’re in considerably of a nomadic enterprise, and so we do not take that for granted, that our children get a chance to name Pittsburgh dwelling.

“It’s been an honor to serve the community in which we live, its values ​​that we hold, and it will continue. We appreciate the recognition, but as my wife said, we certainly don’t do it for that. We’ve been extremely blessed, man, and we’d just like to share those blessings. We thank you.”

Pittsburgh has moved forward with a native son in Mike McCarthy as Tomlin’s substitute. Judging by his retreat into relative anonymity following his departure from the Steelers, Tomlin is having fun with his time away from teaching. But he’ll always remember the reminiscences he made in Pittsburgh — and neither will Steelers followers close to and far.