Posted on 09/24/2017 3:58:08 PM PDT by NKP_Vet
After President Trump made comments over the weekend that players should be "suspended or fired" for protesting the national anthem, the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to sit out the national anthem.
Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters before Sunday's game in Chicago against the Bears that his team wouldn't be participating in the anthem because "(It's) not to be disrespectful to the anthem, but it's to remove ourselves from the circumstance. People shouldn't have to choose. If a guy wants to go about his normal business and participate for the anthem, he shouldn't have to be forced to choose sides," Tomlin told CBS.
During the anthem, Tomlin and a handful of coaches stood on a largely empty Pittsburgh sideline without any players. However, one Steeler emerged from the locker room in order to stand for the national anthem.
Alejandro Villanueva stood in the tunnel to the Pittsburgh locker room with his hand over his heart while the "Star Spangled Banner" played.
Villanueva played football at Army and served as an Army Ranger before entering the NFL. Last season, he made comments critical of San Francisco QB Colin Kaepernick, whose anthem protest touched off other anthem protests around the league.
"I don't know if the most effective way is to sit down during the national anthem with a country that's providing you freedom, providing you $16 million a year ... when there are black minorities that are dying in Iraq and Afghanistan for less than $20,000 a year," Villanueva told ESPN. "It's his decision. Obviously he has brought up the issue in a great way. But I think if he encourages other players or other people in the stands to sit down, it's going to send the wrong message.
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A brave man. God bless him.
No he dint there was millions of us standing with him
Good for him. One real man and only one real man there on the Steeler side of the field, then.
As for the rest, kiss our Obamaholes.
One American among many who know very little. Sad.
Mike Tomlin. Neither hot nor cold. He needs to be vommited up.s
Alejandro Villanueva served three tours in Afghanistan.
God bless Alejandro Villanueva !
the rest of the organization is a bunch of pussies
The Rooney family are lefties and Obama bots and Dems .
I am not shocked they let these thugs antics go on probably Chuckles Shummer was issuing the orders to them .
OK, Steelers fans. Whatup?
Is it suddenly controversial, in the year 2017, to stand for the anthem? I can't stand these people.
He wasnt alone
Hundreds of millions of us were there with him in spirit
Although I don’t wish the NFL any more cash flow, I hope his jersey sells out! I might consider one.
Villanueva is a West Point graduate and a combat veteran who understands why people, regardless of political leanings, stand at attention when the Star Spangled Banner is played.They are honoring those who made the sacrifices that allow those people to enjoy their freedom. All those “ferocious” and “tough” players who kneel never saw a day of combat. They whine when they sprain an ankle. Trump should seriously consider ending the practice of uniformed military personnel and military flyovers being featured at these events. The vast majority of these athletes have absolutely nothing in common with the military. The public should not be confused by seeing them on the same field together.
Mike Tomlin, it’s not about the “anthem” you Neanderthal jock head seventh grader. Why is everyone so obtuse??
Arm linkers = “moderates”.
Alejandro Villanueva and his Wife have been on TV many many time endorsing USAA insurance.
Proud of him.
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