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Posted at 12:19 a.m., Tuesday, December 23, 2008

NFL: Fisher calls Terrible Towel stomp 'unnecessary'

Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jeff Fisher didn't see any of his Tennessee Titans stomping their feet on Terrible Towels after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Seeing the footage Monday didn't make him happy.

"This was just a couple guys playing around with a towel. It was unnecessary in my opinion," Fisher said.

Linebacker Keith Bulluck dropped a towel, then swiped his foot across it celebrating the Titans' 31-14 rout of the Steelers on Sunday. He wasn't alone. Running back LenDale White stomped on a towel, and defensive end Jevon Kearse used one as he pretended to blow his nose in actions replayed in video highlights over and over.

Fisher defended his players, saying the Terrible Towel is just a towel to the Titans.

"They don't understand the significance or the meaning of the towel itself to the organization, the Steelers history or the Steelers fans," he said. "On one hand, I think they were having fun and just playing with a towel. It was certainly not a shot at the organization or the players or the staff or the fans."

Rookie running back Chris Johnson pulled a flag hanging from his waist and waved it around in celebrating his 21-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that put the Titans ahead to stay. Fisher said that potentially could be a problem since the rules prohibit using a prop.

The footage of those Titans stomping on the Terrible Towel will be replayed heavily if these teams meet again in the playoffs. With Tennessee seeded No. 1 in the AFC and Pittsburgh No. 2, that would only be in the AFC championship.

"If we're fortunate to see Pittsburgh again and that's the motivation they need to play better, then that's OK," Fisher said. "I think by the time you get to that ball game, whenever it is, I think both teams will be highly motivated.