Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick Talks Penalty vs. Colts: 'Can't Hit Nobody Hard'

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was frustrated after being called for an unnecessary roughness penalty late in the third quarter in the team's first loss of the season to the Indianapolis Colts.

"I thought we were playing football," Fitzpatrick said after the game. "I don't know what we're playing at this point. Very different game than what I grew up playing and what I grew up loving. Can't hit nobody hard, can't be violent. So I don't know. I don't know what to say anymore."

The call came after Fitzpatrick hit Colts' receiver Adonai Mitchell on an incomplete pass from Joe Flacco. As Fitzpatrick ran towards Mitchell, he pulled up to avoid hitting the receiver with his head but still ran into him.

According to ESPN's Brooke Pryor, officials told him after the penalty Mitchell was considered a defenseless player.

"They said he's a defenseless player and I hit him in the head. I don't understand how he's defenseless. If he's going for the ball, I'm going to make a play on him or the ball. Just because he puts his arms down at the last second, shouldn't be a penalty. Didn't hit him in the head either. But like I said, you hit people hard, and they throwing flags now."

He also expressed that he feels he has the right to go for the ball on a deep pass like the one thrown from Flacco.

"Yeah, it shouldn't matter, because I have every single right to go for the ball," Fitzpatrick said. "If I don't clean him and put my head into his head, it shouldn't be a penalty. I'm allowed to go for the ball, just like he's allowed to go for the ball, and I don't even know how we're supposed to play anymore."

The penalty ended up being a costly one, as it gave the Colts 15 yards and a first down rather than a third-and-long. Indianapolis ended up scoring later in the drive to take a 24-10 lead.

While the Steelers managed to crawl back into the game, they fell just short to lose 27-24 and lose their perfect record.