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 ...
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
I have it on good authority that Art Rooney II had a DEFCON 1 spin and PR meeting at his offices yesterday.
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.
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
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.
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.
Only the 100% staying off the field, will get obeyed!
Didn’t see the press conference but was Villanueva blinking in Morse Code as he spoke? :-)
Stand tall, Villanueva, for the U. S. A. despite what your team mates do.
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.
How many emotional support counsellors have the Steelers employed in case one of their snowflakes is triggered by a Donald Trump tweet?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cower in the showers.
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.
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.