What made the Steelers decide to bring Sutton back? Tomlin clarifies.
Months after Cameron Sutton was released by the Detroit Lions due to his arrest on a domestic abuse warrant, the Pittsburgh Steelers made the decision to offer him another opportunity with the team.
After reestablishing his personal connection with Sutton, head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers Mike Tomlin brought the seasoned cornerback back to Pittsburgh through a process of due diligence. This was sufficient for the Steelers to feel confident enough to reinstate Sutton. In a transcript supplied by the Steelers, Tomlin stated, “It’s the entirety of our relationship; there are no conversations that we had recently.” “I met this guy when he was a high school student in Knoxville, man, maybe six or seven years ago. He’s a really kind man. He is a huge football fan.
“It’s probably the totality of our relationship and I probably represent the sentiment of the organization and saying that it’s less about specific conversations, particularly of late, and it’s about the relationship established over a longer period of time.” Before signing a free agent contract with the Lions last summer, Sutton played his first six seasons with the Steelers. The Lions released him in March after he turned himself in to the police after a weeks-long search because he was wanted on domestic abuse allegations.
After the charges against the Steelers cornerback were dropped from felonies to misdemeanors, he eventually turned himself in to the police and enrolled in a pretrial diversion program. After agreeing, Sutton had to do a mental health assessment as well. Earlier this month, the Steelers signed Sutton to a one-year contract. The Steelers are aware that Sutton could face disciplinary action from the league.
When asked if the Steelers feel comfortable with their current procedure, Tomlin gave the best response he could. Tomlin remarked, “That’s just due diligence.” That is the anticipated outcome. He is obviously present.”