Steelers Reach Out to Fans Upset By Player Attendance at Trump Rally
President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump wave as they depart the field during the College Football Playoff National Championship between Clemson University and Louisiana State University Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)
The Pittsburgh Steelers have responded via e-mail to fans upset about the appearance of current and former players at a rally held by President Donald Trump on Friday, asserting that they did not represent the team and that players are free to support political candidates of their choosing.
Steelers starting quarterback Mason Rudolph, special teams captain Miles Killebrew and Hall of Honor member Rocky Bleier joined Trump on stage during the rally at U.S. Steel's Irvin Works plant in West Mifflin on Friday. The rally was put together to celebrate Trump's proposed deal to allow the merger between U.S. Steel and Japan-based Nippon Steel to go thr
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Bleier presented Trump with a Steelers jersey with the No. 47 on the back, and called him an 'honorary Steeler,' while Trump feted Rudolph during his remarks to the crowd.
'I happen to think a really good quarterback is a man named Mason Rudolph,' Trump said. 'I think he's going to get a big shot. He's tall, he's handsome, got a great arm, and I have a feel he's gonna be the guy.'
The Steelers responded via e-mail to fans and season ticket holders that had reached out, upset about the players' appearance alongside Trump. Steelers Now obtained a copy of the e-mail. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first reported of its existence.
'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.'
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The Rooney family has political ties on both sides of the aisle, with former chairman Dan Rooney serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland under President Barack Obama. Before his support for Obama and service in his administration, Dan Rooney had been a staunch Republican. Patrick Rooney Jr. and Tom Rooney, both nephews of Dan Rooney, have served as Republican legislators from Florida.
Former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis campaigned for Kamala Harris leading up to the 2024 election, and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz held an event at Acrisure Stadium.
Former Steelers Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell supported Trump and spoke at a campaign event in Western Pa., before Trump attended a Steelers game against the New York Jets last season.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Reach Out to Fans Upset By Player Attendance at Trump Rally
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