Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Alejandro Villanueva's unconvincing apology and other blunders from the Steelers
American Thinker ^ | 09/26/2017 | Monica Showalter

Posted on 09/26/2017 7:51:06 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

From Alejandro Villanueva's absurd apology for standing up for the flag, to his team's decision to stay off the field during the playing of the national anthem, the Pittsburgh Steelers have done an amazing job of extending a bad press cycle for themselves. And maybe that's because they are prioritizing protection of their flag-haters over the interest of pleasing their fans.

First, there was the locker-room evasion. In the name of 'team unity' and a stated desire not to get involved in the politically charged atmosphere of President Trump's objections to players 'taking a knee' as the national anthem was played, the Steelers as a team opted to stay in the locker room, or tunnel Sunday, as the anthem was played. They called it being 'respectful' of the team, presumably because of its political differences.

ESPN reported:

Moving the protest off field entirely was a way to keep solidarity without isolating an individual.

"That's where the confusion came in," the source of the anthem sequence said.

The respect claim seems considerably weakened after news emerged that the team's coach, Mike Tomlin, rather adamantly said he expected "100 percent participation" in the locker room huddle. That came off as the statement of an organization man - protecting the organization, never mind the individuals, against the wrath of the fans.

And in any case, they they didn't get it when Alejandro Villanueva made his lonely stand on the field, standing at attention as the national anthem was being played.

Villanueva drew a lot of attention for his stance, including criticism for not being a good team mate But the real question revolves back to the locker-room huddle. What was the team trying to hide from fans?

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: alejandrovillanueva; anthem; apology; nfl; steelers; underthebus; villanueva; villenueva
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-32 next last

1 posted on 09/26/2017 7:51:07 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

What they were trying to hide was the fact that the team had degenerated into a bunch of showboating, undisciplined thugs just like the rest of the National Felons League.

The Chief and Chuck Noll are spinning in their graves


2 posted on 09/26/2017 7:54:37 AM PDT by SargeK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

I have it on good authority that Art Rooney II had a DEFCON 1 spin and PR meeting at his offices yesterday.


3 posted on 09/26/2017 7:54:54 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

I’m deeply offended that they can’t make the unpatriotic fools on their team be the ones to show Unity with the rest of the team. Unless they all believe America is a racist Society probably they do their education has been junk.


4 posted on 09/26/2017 7:55:05 AM PDT by Williams (Stop tolerating the intolerant.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
What is NFL? It's a tool to make people sit on their couches for 3 solid hours on Sunday, Monday and Thursday and think about buying Viagra, Gillette razors and fast food.

The meaningless games are just a sideshow. The players are unenlightened, modern day minstrels who are encouraged to "speak out" so they won't go on strike again and deny the white owners revenue. None dare call it what it is - modern day plantation

5 posted on 09/26/2017 7:55:07 AM PDT by atc23 (The Confederacy was the single greatest conservative resistance to federal authority ever)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

They will be forever known as the “Pittsburg Kneelers”.
IF he wants to stay with the “Kneelers”, he had to apologize.
He should have just manned up and quit. He would be respected more for it.
Now, he’ll just be considered another “Kneeler” that hates America.


6 posted on 09/26/2017 7:55:58 AM PDT by lgjhn23 (It's easy to be liberal when you're dumber than a box of rocks.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SargeK

They couldn’t let an American hero stand out because for the Communist it must all be about identity politics in groups and everyone becomes mediocre, the exact opposite of what the NFL is supposed to be all about.


7 posted on 09/26/2017 7:56:16 AM PDT by Williams (Stop tolerating the intolerant.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
👎🏼 Never apologize for that. I served to protect their right to disrespect me and my service and my forebearer's service as well. Including those on the Union side during the civil war. Including those that fought in the Revolution. Do I like it? No. Their choice just like it's mine to not support their efforts at "pro" sports.
8 posted on 09/26/2017 7:58:16 AM PDT by rktman (Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
Guess Tomlin can't tell his team he expects 100% participation standing UP for the flag, huh?

Only the 100% staying off the field, will get obeyed!

9 posted on 09/26/2017 8:01:51 AM PDT by zerosix (Native Sunflower)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Didn’t see the press conference but was Villanueva blinking in Morse Code as he spoke? :-)


10 posted on 09/26/2017 8:07:14 AM PDT by Hatteras
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Stand tall, Villanueva, for the U. S. A. despite what your team mates do.


11 posted on 09/26/2017 8:11:56 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
The respect claim seems considerably weakened after news emerged that the team's coach, Mike Tomlin, rather adamantly said he expected "100 percent participation" in the locker room huddle. That came off as the statement of an organization man - protecting the organization, never mind the individuals, against the wrath of the fans.

Screw that fruit punch psychology.

Tomlin didn't "expect" 100% participation, he ORDERED it. If he can order 100% participation to stay in the locker room, he can damn well order 100% participation to stand for the anthem.

12 posted on 09/26/2017 8:15:53 AM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all -- Texas Eagle)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind


13 posted on 09/26/2017 8:20:20 AM PDT by Vlad The Inhaler (World's Most Powerful Nation Falls To Invasion Of Mexican Peasants!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Vlad The Inhaler

How many emotional support counsellors have the Steelers employed in case one of their snowflakes is triggered by a Donald Trump tweet?


14 posted on 09/26/2017 8:22:17 AM PDT by littleharbour
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

I just listened to the ENTIRE interview. No Surprise, the article and selected quotes were misleading and lacked full content. The Ranger did himself proud. If you listen to the whole thing you will understand; and that was with “gotcha” questions from the media.


15 posted on 09/26/2017 8:35:14 AM PDT by jdsteel (Give me freedom not more government)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

The NFL is a business, and just like other thriving businesses, their management made some bad decisions. For whatever reason, they attempted to placate a small minority and did not factor in the reaction of their paying customers. They have gotten themselves into a hole with no good or easy way out. Gimmicks such as the one by the Steelers on Sunday or the Cowboys on Monday Night will only serve to make the situation worse. They will thrash about for the remainder of this season with everyone pushing their own agenda and pointing fingers at everyone else, but the real businessmen among the owners know the glory days are over. Some of us hard core fans (Cowboys since their inception in 1960) will stick around but it will never be the same.


16 posted on 09/26/2017 8:36:04 AM PDT by etcb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: littleharbour
How many emotional support counsellors have the Steelers employed in case one of their snowflakes is triggered by a Donald Trump tweet?

Urinals are being removed from the Steeler locker room to be replaced by Kotex dispensers.

A tentative name change to Pittsburgh Snivelers is being considered.


17 posted on 09/26/2017 8:37:39 AM PDT by Vlad The Inhaler (World's Most Powerful Nation Falls To Invasion Of Mexican Peasants!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

He must have been under a hell of a lot of pressure from his peers. As his backpedaling and explanation didn’t hold water, he’s lost a lot of stature.

He’s a much better man than I am for serving in the armed forces. But this backpedaling was weak.


18 posted on 09/26/2017 8:38:45 AM PDT by Ted Grant
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Vlad The Inhaler

Cower in the showers.


19 posted on 09/26/2017 8:44:07 AM PDT by Teacher317 (We have now sunk to a depth at which restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Williams

NO, if these millionaire super anti White americans feel so
strongly about how they’re being treated they should find
a country more to their liking and move there. Every time these player and people who back them disagree with something they shout RACISM. They become OFFENDED over nothing.
What other country would pay them the millions of dollars to work, one day a week? Look at the list of crimes the spoiled over paid spoiled brats have committed. Tells a whole lot of the character of these people and the people who hire them.


20 posted on 09/26/2017 8:45:46 AM PDT by tillacum (I'm still a Deplorable and I COLLUDED during the election SO THE DONALD could WIN! I voted.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-32 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson