Army Ranger Says He ‘Made a Mistake’ Standing For National Anthem Without His Team

GP ^ | 09/26/17 | Cristina Laila

[Enlightened1]

Former Army Ranger Alejandro Villanueva was the ONLY Steeler to come out for the National Anthem on Sunday. He stood in the tunnel while the rest of the team hid in the locker room like disrespectful cowards. Villanueva stood with his hand over his heart and sang along with pride during the National Anthem.

The 28-year-old former Army Ranger is a bronze star recipient and served three tours in Afghanistan.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he noticed Villanueva during a preseason game because of the way he stood during the National Anthem, according to an article in NFL.com.

Imagine being Villanueva. He fought for this country and then has to play side by side with teammates who blatantly disrespect his service and the flag.

[Tucker39]

I think the other players, AND Mike Tomlin have berated him so extremely for doing it, that he finally decided to do an apology. He caved just to get BLM Bigshot and Fundraiser for Hillary - Mike Tomlin, and the rest of the anti-Americans on the team to let up a little.

[rdcbn]

Yup, America’s Team just gave America the middle finger.

[uncbob]

Your team ain’t sh*t and in the end are only going to be a small part of your life. Players move around, and NFL careers are shorter than other sports. So best you stand up for your believes and dignity because they’ll be around longer than that team.

Exactly

[Ciexyz]

As a Pittsburgh area native and resident and long-time Steelers fan, I hope this will all blow over soon. I’m sure Villanueva was pressured to say what he did. The Steelers organization is trying to cover their sorry a##. It’s a pathetic chapter in our team history. Unfortunately, things will never be quite the same again. The whole team has tarnished their image to make a political statement. It’s a stain that will always be there.

[BigEdLB]

It matters not your bravery in battle, you will all be judged politically
-Boris Pasternak, "Dr Zhivago"

[Georgia Girl 2]

Two words: under pressure.

[Gritty]

He probably he had the choice of either getting with the program or getting his knee "accidentally" blown out in practice by one of his wonderful thug team mates or being screwed up constantly by the team while playing so he looks like a chump and he is replaced and won't be put in the lineup.

I don't blame him nearly so much as I blame his racist thug team mates, his creepy coaches, and the cowardly Progressive NFL management for allowing all this to go on.

Screw them all. Villanueva is the victim here, not the BLM bullies. He served his country honorably and has been put in an impossible position by everyone in the league, right from the top and there his little doubt in my mind his physical safety and career have been put in dire jeopardy over this. The NFL can pound sand, the bastards. All of them. If anything highlights what is going on, it is just this example of intimidation and group think.

As usual, President Trump has hit the nail on the head by exposing this festering cancer.

[Drew68]

He doesn’t want to be a poster boy. 70% of the NFL is black and they all hate him now.

Sometimes it takes courage to do the right thing. I would've thought they taught that at West Point.

[Leaning Right]

> He is not sorry he stood for the flag, he is sorry the other team leaders did not join him because of confusion in the locker room. <

I gotta disagree. I watched the video of Villanueva’s news conference a number of times. He made it clear that HE made the mistake. He said that they were all supposed to stop in the tunnel, but he walked out a bit too far. Then he decided it would be rude to turn around and go back.

So, says he, I didn’t plan to stand for the anthem.

Is that what really happened? I doubt it. But Villanueva’s news conference was an apology tour. He was apologizing for his own behavior.

I was stunned when I first saw it. I am stunned now.

[central_va]

NFL leadership = Taliban.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Source for info?

A business acquaintance of mine works in the same building where Art Rooney II has an office (well known locally to be his secret, undisclosed location). Yesterday morning for the first time in nine years the parking lot to that building was absolutely full. That afternoon Ben, Heyward and Villanueva all made press statements. No coincidence.

[Leaning Right]

> Maybe I got it wrong too , duh only saw it at one source <

No, you got it right. Please see my post #69. And take a look at the video, if you can stand it. It’s an apology tour. Villanueva says that he never wanted to go out for the anthem. Read that last sentence again.

But, says he, I just walked out a bit too far.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9stIPWdkI8

[sharkhawk]

I heard the whole quote. It sounded to me he felt his mistake was only telling the team “leaders” what he planned to do, and not the whole team, because others said afterward they would have joined him. He never said it was a mistake to stand in the tunnel, at least from what I heard.

[haircutter]

I read where Pat Tillman's wife (widow ) is standing with the Kneelers..

That is so unbelievable..wonder what she got paid?

[Jmouse007]

Uterly disgraceful.

[detective]

Thanks.

[pnz1]

Taya Kyle (Chris’ wife) doesn’t appear to be judging from her letter to the NFL. However, I’m sure she won’t get as much press..

[JenB987]

Everyone is clearly missing what he said. He never apologized for standing for the anthem.

He doesn’t want the attention this brought and that’s what he’s embarrassed by. Any veteran I have had the pleasure of knowing has the same mindset. I’m heartbroken this gentle, selfless man felt the need to apologize after he clearly stood for what he believed in.

Now is the time to reassure these kinds of men that what they are doing it right, not vilify them for being battle weary.

Any good solider, at some point, questions themselves. Our moral center and love of our brothers is what separates us from the wolves of this world. As supporters, its our duty to back them up when they feel vulnerable, not spit on them on the way down.

i challenge everyone to read his story to know where he’s coming from. This man blames himself for the death of a brother after he carried him off a battle field under gun fire.

I will support him everyday of the week.

[fortheDeclaration]

Shows that physical courage isn’t the same as moral courage.

[DBG8489]

Hooyah