Steelers' Alejandro Villanueva has highest-selling gear in past 24 hours

ESPN ^ | 9/25/2017 | Darren Rovell

[Old Teufel Hunden]

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Alejandro Villanueva became the best-selling player in the NFL by midday Monday.

Alejandro Villanueva's appearance on the field, as the only Steelers player to leave the tunnel for Sunday's national anthem, led to "confusion" for some teammates, a source said. A spokesman for Fanatics, which runs the NFL's online store, confirmed to ESPN that, over the past 24 hours, more Villanueva gear, including jerseys and name and number T-shirts, has been ordered than that of any other NFL player.

Villanueva beat out New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for the top spot. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers rounded out the top five over the past day.

Both the NFL Shop and Fanatics websites had Villanueva jerseys and T-shirts in men's and women's sizes.

A former Army Ranger who earned a Bronze Star and served three tours in Afghanistan, Villanueva was the only Steelers player who came outside the tunnel during Sunday's national anthem, after the team collectively decided not to be on the sideline during the song. Pictures and video of Villanueva standing, with his hand on his heart, filled social media networks.

[Dan C]

I’ll first state that I was touched by the photos of Villanueva standing for the anthem. I found myself pondering how our world has drifted so far so that coming out and standing for the anthem is somehow a profile in courage.

Perhaps I’m just projecting a bit of jaded cynicism here but I am expecting the throngs of “show yourself to be an independent thinker by joining the approved herd” types to put unbelievable pressure on this fellow to say something against Trump or otherwise provide a ‘clarification’ to things that will water down what was done. I hope this isn’t the case but I fear that Villanueva will have a microphone shoved in his face over every comment and action taken by Trump or conservatives until someone gets him on record saying something negative.

[Parmy]

Does he get a cut from the sales of his equipment.

[beergarden]

Yer right. Dont buy from the NFL.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"wonder what Rocky Blier would say ?"

Rocky is a great speaker. I got a chance to hear him speak several times. I loved a story he told one time, he said 'I don't know why everyone gives credit to Terry (Bradshaw) for calling his own plays. I mean, we only had three plays so whats the big deal?'...

Just to give you some background, Rocky is heavily involved with veterans issues and he was one of the driving forces in raising money for the 9/11 memorial at Shanksville Pa, site of the crash. He's a great American.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"Does he get a cut from the sales of his equipment."

I don't think so, I think it goes into a general money fund doled out to everyone. However, it sends a message to the NFL how we feel about them kneeling for the National anthem. That's why I support buying his apparel.

[sarge83]

It ought to be a blaring siren call in the the NFL front offices. Your fans think you stink and your PC politics stink. You are royally pissing off your customers to placate the radical left and a minority of fans who hate your guts in the first place.

I hate to say it but I think some of these guys in the NFL front office and owners were hit in the head one too many times. How blindingly stupid can you be to reality.

[Maudeen]

See if Villaneuva has a favorite charity and give to that.

[bgill]

He gets a very small percent. Most of the profit goes into the NFL’s wallet.

[pfflier]

You were right and I was wrong in my reply to this post. Even the cowboys sold out.

Another jersey into the bonfire. Screw the SOBs.