Donald Trump calls Mason Rudolph 'handsome' and says the Steelers quarterback is 'gonna be the guy'
Donald Trump introduces Steelers QB Mason Rudolph at Pittsburgh rally (Getty Images)
M
ason Rudolph has been quietly making his case to lead the Pittsburgh Steelers as their starting quarterback in the upcoming NFL season. But his latest appearance alongside U.S.
President
Donald Trump
has catapulted him into the national spotlight — and not just for football reasons.
Donald Trump showers love on Mason Rudolph
The 29-year-old quarterback didn't just attend the high-profile U.S. Steel-Nippon Steel merger event in Pittsburgh — he was an active participant. Seated alongside steelworkers and Steelers teammate Miles Killebrew, Rudolph mingled with the local community before joining Donald Trump onstage at the rally. The event, held at U.S.
Steel's Irvin Works in West Mifflin, was a powerful show of support for America's steel industry.
It was also a surprising political moment for Rudolph, who found an unlikely supporter in Trump himself.
"I happen to think a really good quarterback is a man named Mason Rudolph — and I think he's going to get a big shot," Trump said during his speech. 'He's tall, he's handsome, got a great arm, and I have a feeling he's gonna be the guy.'
Trump, known for his deep ties to sports figures, didn't stop there. He brought Rudolph onstage alongside Steelers special teams captain Miles Killebrew and Super Bowl champion Rocky Bleier. The moment electrified the crowd of working-class fans, who are both die-hard Steelers supporters and proud defenders of the American steel industry.
Bleier, a Vietnam War veteran and Pittsburgh icon, even presented Trump with a custom No.
47 Steelers jersey. 'I'd like to present this to a Hall of Fame president,' he told Trump, marking a moment that blended football pride, political theater, and blue-collar reverence.
For Rudolph, who has spent most of his NFL career bouncing between the backup role and emergency starter, the attention is well-earned. After stepping in last season and providing much-needed stability to Pittsburgh's offense, Rudolph has seen his stock rise within the organization and among the fans.
His resilience and leadership were particularly praised by teammates, with second-year wideout Roman Wilson calling him an 'elite quarterback' the team is rallying around.
Although the Steelers are reportedly waiting on Aaron Rodgers' decision, Rudolph currently stands as the top in-house option. The front office has made it clear that while they may bring in another veteran should Rodgers decline, Rudolph is very much in the mix and could retain the job heading into Week 1.
Rudolph's career stats tell a story of a quarterback who's faced adversity but consistently delivered when called upon — with 4,615 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and a solid 8-4-1 record as a Steelers starter. His stint with the Titans last season didn't produce much success in the win column, but it gave him more experience under center.
More importantly, Rudolph's presence in Pittsburgh now goes beyond football. From the gridiron to community events with steelworkers, he's embracing the city's values and culture. Whether or not he ultimately starts this fall, Mason Rudolph is quickly becoming a name Steelers fans — and even presidents — are keeping a close eye on.
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