Alejandro Villanueva only Steelers player to appear for national anthem

Source: The Hill | September 24, 2017 | Rebecca Savransky

Alejandro Villanueva was the only player on the Pittsburgh Steelers to come out of the locker room Sunday when the national anthem played ahead of the game.

Villanueva, who served three tours in Afghanistan as an Army ranger, stood outside the locker room tunnel and put his hand over his heart during the national anthem.

Most of the players on the Steelers stayed in their locker room as the national anthem played before their game Sunday in Chicago. 

Photos showed an empty Steelers’ sideline as the anthem played.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said ahead of the game the team would not be participating in the anthem.

“Not to be disrespectful to the anthem, to remove ourselves from the circumstance. People shouldn’t have to choose. If a guy wants to go about his normal business and participate in the anthem, he shouldn’t be forced to choose sides,” Tomlin told CBS before the game.

“If a guy feels the need to do something, he shouldn’t be separated from his teammate who chooses not to. So we’re not participating today. That’s our decision. We’re gonna be 100 percent.”

……

Tagged: , ,

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.