Villanueva had Tomlin's blessings
Steelers tried to be 'united,' avoid political statement, Mike Tomlin says
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday absolved left tackle Alejandro Villanueva for standing alone for the national anthem Sunday. He also defended his decision to be on the field with three assistant coaches while his team, minus Villanueva, stood inside a tunnel at Soldier Field, Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
Tomlin, reiterating the stance of his players, said the Steelers were trying to present a “united” front and avoid making a political statement during the national anthem by remaining in the tunnel leading to Soldier Field.
The Steelers have been criticized for their stance, especially when Villanueva was the sole player outside the tunnel when the anthem played. Tomlin and assistants Todd Haley, Mike Munchak and James Saxon were on the sidelines midfield.
“When I step into a stadium, I don't play politics,” Tomlin said. “I won't be goaded or pressured into anything.”
Tomlin also defended Villanueva, the former Army Ranger who on Monday apologized for the appearance that the Steelers were not united because he was not with the rest of the team inside the tunnel.
“I don't know why Villanueva was apologizing,” Tomlin said. “He has nothing to apologize for.”
Villanueva, Tomlin said, is the reason Steelers players have not protested during the national anthem, a trend that started last season when former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began sitting, then kneeling, in protest of racial inequality and police brutality.
“The respect they have for Al as a brother has made those demonstrations zero,” Tomlin said. “It has never been an issue for us.”
At least not until President Donald Trump last Friday said during a rally in Alabama that NFL players who kneel should be “fired” and owners should get that “son of a (expletive) off the field.”
Because of Trump's comments, Tomlin said some players “felt differently” than in the past, and that not every one wanted to stand for the anthem in Chicago. Tomlin told the players to come to an agreement as a team.
When the Steelers couldn't reach a unanimous decision “to express displeasure,” Tomlin said they decided to “remove themselves from the situation.”
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Steelers tried to be 'united,' avoid political statement, Mike Tomlin says
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday absolved left tackle Alejandro Villanueva for standing alone for the national anthem Sunday. He also defended his decision to be on the field with three assistant coaches while his team, minus Villanueva, stood inside a tunnel at Soldier Field, Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
Tomlin, reiterating the stance of his players, said the Steelers were trying to present a “united” front and avoid making a political statement during the national anthem by remaining in the tunnel leading to Soldier Field.
The Steelers have been criticized for their stance, especially when Villanueva was the sole player outside the tunnel when the anthem played. Tomlin and assistants Todd Haley, Mike Munchak and James Saxon were on the sidelines midfield.
“When I step into a stadium, I don't play politics,” Tomlin said. “I won't be goaded or pressured into anything.”
Tomlin also defended Villanueva, the former Army Ranger who on Monday apologized for the appearance that the Steelers were not united because he was not with the rest of the team inside the tunnel.
“I don't know why Villanueva was apologizing,” Tomlin said. “He has nothing to apologize for.”
Villanueva, Tomlin said, is the reason Steelers players have not protested during the national anthem, a trend that started last season when former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began sitting, then kneeling, in protest of racial inequality and police brutality.
“The respect they have for Al as a brother has made those demonstrations zero,” Tomlin said. “It has never been an issue for us.”
At least not until President Donald Trump last Friday said during a rally in Alabama that NFL players who kneel should be “fired” and owners should get that “son of a (expletive) off the field.”
Because of Trump's comments, Tomlin said some players “felt differently” than in the past, and that not every one wanted to stand for the anthem in Chicago. Tomlin told the players to come to an agreement as a team.
When the Steelers couldn't reach a unanimous decision “to express displeasure,” Tomlin said they decided to “remove themselves from the situation.”
Don't forget to follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/theredzoneorg
Like us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/Theredzone.org
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