Some Pittsburgh Steelers fans are released and send e-mails to the team for action-this time the indignation of fans has nothing to do with the former offensive coordinator Matt Canada (We are Philadelphia paper, ok?).
It all began on Friday, when the mixture of current and former Steelers players took part in the rally of President Donald Trump in West Mifflin, where the president announced that he doubles the tariffs to imported steel by 50%. The athletes handed Trump a black team shirt, which was wearing No. 47 and “Trump”.
Not everyone was impressed by the gesture. In particular, the beloved Hall of Fame Steeler also wore No. 47, additionally contributing to the anger of some fans.
Some fans mobilized by sending E -Maile to the team expressing their frustration. It is not clear how many fans e -Maile sent. This week, the team responded to fans and seasonal ticket holders by letter.
Here’s what we know.
Who participated in the Trump Rally?
Steelers Mason Rudolph, Safety Miles Killebrew and former Steelers escaping Rocky Bleier participated. Their performances were not planned by Steelers.
Trump called a “killer” on the pitch and called Rudolph “really good”.
“I think he’ll get a big shot,” said Trump about Rudolph. “He is tall. He is handsome. He has a great arm. And I have the impression that he will be a guy.”
Rudolph also turned to the crowd, speaking high about Bleier about his army service and his time on the pitch.
“[He] I fought for our country in Vietnam, he returned and played great football for black and gold, “said Rudolph.[It’s] An amazing being part of this great investment in Pittsburgh. Go Steelers! “
The trio gave Trump a T -shirt and called it “Honorary Steeler.”
Do Steelers support Trump?
Steelers did not officially support Trump or other politicians. The team said that the views of his players or former players do not represent the views of the entire organization.
Despite this, Rudolph, Killers and Bleiers are not the only ones with Steelers who supported Trump. There was Antonio Brown’s wide receiver and former running Le’veon Bell met with Trump Last year before his participation in the Steelers and New York Jets duel. And vice versa, there were steelers escaping Jerome Bettis and defensive equipment “Mean” by Joe Greene Campaigns for Democrats Kamala Harris and Tim Walz At the rally last year at the Acrisure stadium.
The owners of Steelers, the Rooney family, are many years of supporters of the Democratic Party, as they noted USA Today. Dan Rooney, the father of the current main owner of Art Rooney II, was appointed by President Barack Obama to perform as a US ambassador in Ireland in 2009–2012.
What did the steelers say in the team’s letter?
Here is a letter from Steelers in full:
We appreciate that you devote time to share your thoughts with us. As valued fans, your voice is an important part of what makes our community and base of Steelers fans so strong. We understand that the recent rally in Pittsburgh generated a series of reactions of our fans base. Our graduates and current players make their own individual decisions that reflect their views, and do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your passion and continuous support of the team.
Did other teams already give Trump shirts?
Yes. The practice of the team depicting the president of their own T -shirt is quite typical, although it usually occurs during the official visit of the band in the White House.
»Read more: Jalen hurts and AJ Brown explains why they omitted the visit of the White House of the Eagles
At the beginning of this year, the Eagles celebrated the victory at the Super Bowl with a visit to the White House. The team handed Trump a T -shirt of eagles No. 47 and a helmet. Several team members, including Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown, Jalen Carter and Darius Slay, for various reasons omitted the journey to DC.
Has Rudolph, Killers or Bleier have said something since then?
Since Pulch with Trump, Rudolph said he saw some slack, but he wasn’t surprised. He also cited his rights to the first amendment to freely express support for Trump.
“There is slack every day,” Rudolph he said After team training on Tuesday. “You look at social media, they are constant … This is the nature of social media. That is why America is so great. Everyone has the right to their own opinion. Speech is free. Paris for the course.”
In a similar statement, several he said that he was not “apologized”.
“Here is the offer. I remember how it was to be a child, and I and my friends grew up or wanted to be a president, or we have a chance to meet him. And yesterday I met with the president. I do not apologize for that”, he is not sorry for that “, he he said. “To be honest, for anyone who thinks it was a bad thing, I didn’t care less. I wasn’t signing there. I just met the president and I’m glad that I did it.”
Is No. 47 a retired number of steelers?
Not officially, but he was not worn by man since 1983.
Mel Blount, a key member of the Steelers Steel Age – named after the renowned dominant defensive line of the team from the 1970s – was the last player in Pittsburgh, who presented No. 47.
The five-time professional Bowler and Hall of Fame played Cornerback for Steelers for 14 years-during the Rocky Bleier team.
So when Bleier gave Trump No. 47 and called Trump “President Hall of Fame”, IT he touched the nerves.
Blount with 14 other NFL Hall of Famers, supported the Harris-Walz ticket last year.
