Latest news with #MilesKillebrew
Japan Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Times
Steelers respond to fans after QB Mason Rudolph attends Trump rally
Some Steelers fans were upset about quarterback Mason Rudolph's recent appearance at a Donald Trump rally, prompting a response from the team. Rudolph, along with veteran safety Miles Killebrew and 1970s-era running back Rocky Bleier, presented the U.S. president with a Steelers No. 47 jersey during an event near Pittsburgh on Friday. Some fans were unhappy about it and voiced their complaints with the team, which responded with an email on Monday that reminded fans that the opinions of individual players "do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization." "We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us. As valued fans, your voice is an essential part of what makes our Steelers community and fan base so strong," read the email, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "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. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your passion and your continued support of the team." Rudolph, 29, was asked about the controversy on Wednesday at team workouts. "There's backlash every day," he said. "You look on social media, there's constant ... that's the nature of social media. That's why America is so great. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Speech is free. Par for the course." Barring the signing of free agent Aaron Rodgers, Rudolph is in line to be the starting quarterback for the Steelers in 2025 following the departures of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Rudolph is 9-8-1 as an NFL starter, completing 63.7% of his passes for 4,615 yards with 28 touchdowns and 20 interceptions for the Steelers and Tennessee Titans. Killebrew, 32, is a special teams standout who was selected for the Pro Bowl the last two seasons and a first-team All-Pro in 2023. He has 161 tackles and two interceptions in 146 games (five starts) for the Detroit Lions and Steelers.
Reuters
6 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Steelers email fans after Mason Rudolph attends Trump rally
June 4 - Some Steelers fans were upset about quarterback Mason Rudolph's recent appearance at a Donald Trump rally, prompting a response from the team. Rudolph, along with veteran safety Miles Killebrew and 1970s-era running back Rocky Bleier, presented the U.S. president with a Steelers No. 47 jersey during an event Friday near Pittsburgh. Some fans were unhappy about it and voiced their complaints with the team, which responded with an email on Monday that reminded fans that the opinions of individual players "do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization." "We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us. As valued fans, your voice is an essential part of what makes our Steelers community and fan base so strong," read the email, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "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. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your passion and your continued support of the team." Rudolph, 29, was asked about the controversy on Wednesday at team workouts. "There's backlash every day," he said. "You look on social media, there's constant ... that's the nature of social media. That's why America is so great. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Speech is free. Par for the course." Barring the signing of free agent Aaron Rodgers, Rudolph is in line to be the starting quarterback for the Steelers in 2025 following the departures of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Rudolph is 9-8-1 as an NFL starter, completing 63.7 percent of his passes for 4,615 yards with 28 touchdowns and 20 interceptions for the Steelers (2019-21, 2023) and Tennessee Titans (2024). Killebrew, 32, is a special teams standout who was selected for the Pro Bowl the last two seasons and first-team All-Pro in 2023. He has 161 tackles and two interceptions in 146 games (five starts) for the Detroit Lions (2016-20) and Steelers (2021-present). --Field Level Media
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
NFL quarterback breaks silence after Donald Trump rally appearance sparked furious fan backlash
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph has broken his silence after he appeared on stage at a rally for Donald Trump last month, stating he has no regrets because 'speech is free'. Rudolph was part of the Pittsburgh contingent to join Trump on stage last Friday, giving him a personalized Steelers jersey, alongside safety Miles Killebrew, and four-time Super Bowl champion Rocky Bleier. Days later, Rudolph had the chance to speak out about the appearance after many on social media showed their displeasure for his choice. 'There's backlash on social media. 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,' Rudolph said. Rudolph being kind to Trump after his appearance at a rally for the president could be a response for the Commander in Chief giving the 29-year-old his stamp of approval. 'I happen to think a really good quarterback is a man named Mason Rudolph,' Trump said. 'I think he's gonna get a big shot. He's tall, he's handsome, he's got a great arm. And I have a feeling he's gonna be the guy.' Rudolph has had an up-and-down professional career since entering the league in 2018, now in his second stint with the Steelers after a turbulent stay from 2018 through 2023. Trump's prediction could be bad news for free agent Aaron Rodgers, as the Steelers looked like the best option left in the league for him to join. The Steelers only have Rudolph and Will Howard on their roster after letting Russell Wilson and Justin Fields walk this offseason. The 41-year-old Rodgers would bring a veteran presence to the locker room, with the team still leaving him unsigned nearly three months after the possibility first arose of bringing him in. Rodgers looked to have plenty of options months ago for where he could possibly land as a free agent, including the Vikings, Giants, and Colts. Every team that could have needed a short-term answer at quarterback with Rodgers fitting the bill, except the Steelers, made a definitive move to sign another signal caller. The Steelers may be in less of a win-now mode than in seasons' past, with their trade of star wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys as evidence. Head coach Mike Tomlin may want to develop a younger quarterback like Rudolph instead of a flyer on Rodgers to have postseason success in 2025.
USA Today
6 days ago
- General
- USA Today
Steelers' Miles Killebrew responds to President Trump rally backlash: 'I'm not apologetic'
Steelers' Miles Killebrew responds to President Trump rally backlash: 'I'm not apologetic' Steelers fans have taken aim at Miles Killebrew and others over their attendance at President Donald Trump's rally in Pittsburgh — and he recently responded to the backlash. Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette caught up with Killebrew at OTAs and asked what he'd say to anyone bothered by his appearance at the rally. Here was Killebrew's response: "Me and my friends growing up, we either wanted to be president or get a chance to meet him,' Killebrew said. '[Friday] I got the chance to meet the sitting U.S. president. I'm not apologetic about that. 'I'll be able to sit down with my kids when they're learning about the president and say, 'Hey, Dad met that guy.' For anybody who thinks that's a bad thing, to be honest, I couldn't care less.' Mason Rudolph also downplayed Steelers fan backlash over his attendance at Trump's rally — claiming that everyone is entitled to their opinion because "speech is free." The Steelers organization attempted to appease angry fans by email — reassuring them that the views of current and former players do not reflect the views of the team. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Pittsburgh Steelers speak out after players spark fan meltdown at Donald Trump rally
The Steelers were forced to write to angry fans who complained after Pittsburgh players and legends turned up at a Donald Trump rally. The president spoke at the US Steel plant in Pennsylvania on Friday, where he was joined on stage by quarterback Mason Rudolph and safety Miles Killebrew, as well as former running back Rocky Bleier. Bleier, who helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls during in the 1970s, presented Trump with a personalized No 47 jersey. He also branded the president an 'honorary Steeler' and a 'Hall of Fame president'. It did not go down well with some Steelers fans, who complained to the NFL team. And Pittsburgh responded by emailing those supporters, insisting the views of Rudolph and Co do not necessarily reflect those of the franchise. 'We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us. As valued fans, your voice is an essential part of what makes our Steelers community and fan base so strong,' the letter said, as reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. '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. 'Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your passion and your continued support of the team.' Both Rudolph and Killebrew spoke out in the wake of the fan backlash, with the quarterback insisting: 'That's the nature of social media... that's the nature of why America is so great. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Speech is free. Par for the course.' Killebrew was also 'unapologetic' about appearing alongside Trump. He said, per the Post-Gazette: 'I got the chance to meet the sitting U.S. president. I'm not apologetic about that. Killebrew added: 'I'll be able to sit down with my kids when they're learning about the president and say: "Hey, dad met that guy." For anybody who thinks that's a bad thing, to be honest, I couldn't care less.' Both players spoke at the rally, with Killebrew telling the crowd: 'How about this president of ours, huh? Just wanted to say God bless you, President Trump, and God bless you, Pittsburgh. Thank you.' He later added on social media: 'Excited for the Billions of dollars coming for the production of US Steel right here in Pennsylvania... Hard working Steel workers make me proud to be called a Steeler.' The Steelers are owned by the Rooney family. Late chairman Dan Rooney was a lifelong Republican until he was appointed US Ambassador to Ireland by Barack Obama. Back in October, Trump headed to Acrisure Stadium to watch the Steelers face the Jets. He was greeted by chants of 'U-S-A', while a supporter invaded the field holding a pro-Trump and anti-Kamala Harris sign. On Friday, Trump heaped praise on both Rudolph and Killebrew, calling the safety a 'killer' and tipping Rudolph to be the Steelers' quarterback. '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. He's got a great arm. And I have a feeling he's gonna be the guy.' Ahead of last year's election, former Steelers players Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell attended a rally to endorse Trump.
