Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The internal atmosphere surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers suddenly became a major talking point after new assistant coach Domata Peko publicly revisited the infamous chaotic incident involving Joey Porter Sr. during the legendary 2015 Steelers vs Bengals playoff game.
The moment quickly sparked massive discussion throughout NFL circles, as many still view that night as one of the most hostile and emotionally charged rivalries in modern AFC North history.

Peko recently joined Pittsburgh’s coaching staff under Mike McCarthy as the team’s new defensive line coach.
However, for many Steelers fans, seeing a longtime former icon of the Cincinnati Bengals now wearing black and gold still feels surreal.
During more than a decade in Cincinnati, Peko played in countless violent and emotional rivalry games against Pittsburgh.
And no memory remains larger than the Wild Card game during the 2015 season.
That game included:
- Antonio Brown taking a devastating hit from Vontaze Burfict
- players from both teams nearly erupting into chaos
- Joey Porter Sr. walking onto the field during the middle of the confrontation.
The Bengals later received several critical penalties that moved Pittsburgh into field goal range before the Steelers escaped with a dramatic 18-16 victory.
Many Bengals fans still consider the ending one of the most painful and controversial moments in franchise history.
During a recent media session, Peko unexpectedly revealed that he had already spoken with Joey Porter Jr. after arriving in Pittsburgh.
According to Peko, he simply told Porter Jr.:
“Tell your dad I said what’s up.”
But it was his next comment that immediately caught the attention of the NFL world:
“There are certain football memories you try to forget because they were too crazy, too emotional, and changed everything forever. But eventually you realize you can’t keep living with hatred if you want to keep moving forward.” – Domata Peko
Multiple analysts believe the statement was a clear sign that Peko wants to finally bury the hatchet with the Porter family after years of lingering tension connected to that rivalry.
Several former Steelers players reportedly praised Peko’s mature approach as he begins this new chapter inside Pittsburgh’s organization.
Still, reactions from Steelers fans remain mixed.
Many supporters are fully willing to embrace Peko now that he represents Pittsburgh.
However, others still have not forgotten the violent clashes and emotional bitterness from the years when the Steelers and Bengals rivalry reached its peak.
One AFC executive stated:
“That’s what makes the AFC North different. Those battles don’t always end when the players leave the field.”
At the moment, Peko is beginning a completely new chapter of his coaching career in Pittsburgh.
But for many NFL fans, simply seeing him and the Porter family standing on the same side after everything that happened already feels like one of the strangest and most emotional stories of the offseason.






