NFL Players Respond To Criticism Of Attending Trump Rally

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph and special teams captain Miles Killebrew received criticism for joining President Trump on stage at a rally in Pennsylvania.

Trump held a rally at the U.S. Steel plant in West Mifflin last week.

The franchise got complaints about the appearance from fans and season ticket holders.

However, the Steelers defended its players.

The team said both former and current players “make their own individual decisions.”

Former Steelers running back Rocky Bleier also joined Trump on stage.

The current players also defended their decision.

Per Steelers Now:

“There’s backlash every day you look on social media,” Rudolph said. “That’s the nature of social media. It’s the nature of why America’s so great because everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and speech is free.”

Killebrew reiterated a similar sentiment.

“Here’s the deal. I remember what it was like being a kid, and me and my friends growing up, we either wanted to be the president or have the chance to meet him one day. And yesterday, I got to meet the president. I’m not apologetic about that,” Killebrew said. “For anyone who thinks that’s a bad thing, to be honest, I couldn’t care less. I wasn’t there signing legislation. I was just there meeting the president and glad I did it.”

“We understand that a recent rally in Pittsburgh has generated a range of reactions from our fan base. Our alumni and current players make their own individual decisions that reflect their views, and they do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization,” the Steelers told fans and season ticket holders via email.

WATCH:

From the New York Post:

Despite the Rooney family, which owns the Steelers, being strong Democratic supporters, several former Steelers players have appeared at rallies for the President.

In October, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell were on hand at a Trump Rally in Latrobe, Penn.

Bleier called Trump a “Hall of Fame President” when he presented him with a custom No. 47 jersey during Friday’s rally and declared him an “honorary Steeler.”

Killebrew said on stage, “God bless you, President Trump,” when invited to speak by the President.

Trump invited all three Steelers to the stage and predicted Rudolph would be “the guy” for Pittsburgh while the team waits for Aaron Rodgers to make a decision.



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