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

That changed Thursday. But first, in properly chivalrous fashion, his wife, Kiya, delivered a message of appreciation.

“We never did it for the recognition, but I just want to thank you,” she said. “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 done, of course. The master 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 said. “It’s been an honor to be a part of this great community, to call it home, for our kids to call it home. We’re in somewhat of a nomadic business, and so we don’t take that for granted, that our kids get an opportunity to call Pittsburgh home.

“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 replacement. Judging by his retreat into relative anonymity following his departure from the Steelers, Tomlin is enjoying his time away from coaching. But he’ll never forget the memories he made in Pittsburgh — and neither will Steelers fans near and far.