Latest news with #No.47
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Belfast Giants honour legendary head coach Adam Keefe with jersey retirement at testimonial
At a testimonial game in Keefe's honour, celebrating his 14 years of service to the Giants, in front of his family – including brother Sheldon, head coach of the NHL's New Jersey Devils – his jersey was raised to the rafters at the SSE Arena. It is the highest honour that can be bestowed in hockey and a wholly deserved one for Keefe, the team's most successful coach and an individual who is described as the "heartbeat" of the organisation. And now nobody will ever wear the No.47 jersey ever again as, after a heartfelt speech by Giants chairman Robert Fitzpatrick, the banner was lofted above the West End net where it will forever stay. The jersey raising ceremony was followed by the testimonial, which took the form of a round-robin tournament between former team-mates and players that Keefe has coached split into four teams named after Keefe's former teams. Current Belfast stars such as captain Mark Cooper, David Goodwin, Ben Lake and Jackson Whistle all featured, while fellow retired jerseys Rob Stewart, Colin Shields and Graeme Walton also took part, with Todd Kelman and Shane Johnson taking their place as coaches alongside Sheldon Keefe. Joining the organisation in 2011 as a hard-nosed forward and quickly establishing himself as captain in only his second season in Belfast, Keefe would win two Elite League titles with the Giants as a player but it is as coach that his legacy has been taken to another level. In his seven seasons in charge, Keefe has delivered ten trophies to the Giants out of a possible 19, including the Grand Slam in 2023 as his all-conquering side swept all before them to secure League, Challenge Cup and Play-Off glory. Last season the Brampton, Ontario native led the Giants to their fourth League title under his stewardship, winning a dramatic final day race to clinch the crown, as well as a fifth Cup, and is now preparing to take the team into the Champions League for the fourth time next season. Not just the team's coach, Keefe has now built his life in Northern Ireland having married wife Colleen, with the couple welcoming their first daughter Cora in 2021, with Tara following in 2023.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Steelers reply to fans angered by players' Trump rally appearance
Steelers reply to fans angered by players' Trump rally appearance Show Caption Hide Caption Cowboys land star wideout George Pickens The Pittsburgh Steelers traded star wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 third-round pick. Sports Seriously Should the Pittsburgh Steelers "shut up and..." huddle? Quarterback Mason Rudolph, special teamer Miles Killebrew and former Steelers running back Rocky Bleier did not heed Fox News host Laura Ingraham's advice when they all appeared on stage at President Donald Trump's rally just outside of Pittsburgh last Friday. The decision by the two active players and a team alum to make appearances at the president's weekend rally – where they presented him with a Steelers No. 47 jersey featuring Trump's name on the back – angered many Steelers fans and season-ticket holders. The backlash from fans was significant enough to prompt an official response from the team. AARON RODGERS: Veteran QB 'has not affirmatively' told the Steelers he's signing Pittsburgh sent a formal letter to those fans in the form of an email on Monday, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. It read: "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. "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." It is not the first time that former Steelers players have been outspoken about their support for the president. Former Pittsburgh wide receiver Antonio Brown and his former teammate, running back Le'Veon Bell, appeared at another Trump rally outside of Pittsburgh in October, weeks before Election Day. In contrast, the Rooney family, the Steelers' team owners, have long been supporters of the Democratic Party. Current Steelers principal owner Art Rooney II's father, Dan, served as the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland from 2009 to 2012, having been appointed by President Barack Obama.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Steelers QB Mason Rudolph, Others Join President Trump at Rally in Pittsburgh
Donald J. Trump, President of the United States waves as he takes the stage during the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, May 30, 2019. Nine-hundred-eighty-nine cadets graduated to become the newest 2nd lieutenants in the Air Force. -- Trevor Cokley / U.S. Air Force Three current and former members of the Pittsburgh Steelers, including starting quarterback Mason Rudolph, joined president Donald Trump on stage at a rally at U.S. Steel's Irvin Works in West Mifflin on Friday. Trump was in Pittsburgh promoting a deal to finally move forward with the proposed merger between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel, a Japanese company. Advertisement Rudolph, Steelers safety and special teams captain Miles Killebrew, and four-time Super Bowl champion running back Rocky Bleier joined Trump on the stage. '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.' Bleier presented Trump with a customized Steelers No. 47 jersey and called him an honorary member of the team. Rudolph re-joined the Steelers on a two-year contract this offseason after spending the 2024 season with the Tennessee Titans. He was originally the team's third-round pick out of Oklahoma State in 2018. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph at OTAs on May 27, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now Killebrew has been with the team since 2021, and was selected to his second straight Pro Bowl as a special teamer in 2024. Advertisement Bleier, 79, was a 16th-round pick of the Steelers in 1968 out of Notre Dame, and saw his tenure with the team interrupted by his service in the Vietnam War, where he was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Despite being told he'd never play football again, Bleier returned to be a key part of the 1970s dynasty. Several former Steelers players supported Trump in his re-election campaign in 2024, including Bleier, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell. Trump also visited Acrisure Stadium for a game against the New York Jets last October. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers QB Mason Rudolph, Others Join President Trump at Rally in Pittsburgh
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Steelers respond to angry fans after Mason Rudolph, Miles Killebrew give President Donald Trump jersey at rally
The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly responding to fans upset that current and former members of the team attended a rally hosted by President Donald Trump on Friday, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Quarterback Mason Rudolph, safety Miles Killebrew and former Steelers running back Rocky Bleier all attended a rally hosted by Trump in West Mifflin, Pa, not far from Pittsburgh. At the event, the three presented Trump with a Steelers No. 47 jersey. Advertisement Some fans were upset about that decision, and decided to email the team with their complaints. The team reportedly responded to those fans, saying current and former players are allowed to make their own decisions, and that their views "do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization," per the Post-Gazette. '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. '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." Team spokesperson Burt Lauten confirmed to the Post-Gazette that the team sent out that email to fans. Rudolph was asked about the appearance — and the backlash it caused among fans — at team workouts Wednesday. He stressed the importance of freedom of speech. 'There's backlash every day,' Rudolph 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.' Rudolph currently sits at the top of the Steelers' quarterback depth chart. He slated to be the team's starter unless it signs veteran Aaron Rodgers. Advertisement Killebrew added that he always dreamed about meeting the president as a kid, and wanted to be able to tell his kids he met a sitting U.S. president. The Rooney family, which owns the Steelers, has supported Democratic politicians in the past, including former President Barack Obama.
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Steelers Respond After Players Join Trump at Rally: Live Updates
The Pittsburgh Steelers have responded to backlash from fans after several current and former players appeared alongside President Donald Trump at a Friday rally at the U.S. Steel plant in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. Quarterback Mason Rudolph, safety Miles Killebrew, and four-time Super Bowl champion Rocky Bleier joined Trump on stage and presented him with a custom No. 47 jersey, prompting a flurry of messages from fans who felt the appearance crossed a line. 08:25 AM EDT Full list of Navy ships that could be renamed by Pete Hegseth Main: Civil Service Mariners aboard Military Sealift Command's fleet replenishment oiler USNS Harvey Milk, Norfolk Virginia, Spetmeber 2024. Inset: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers his speech during 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday,... Main: Civil Service Mariners aboard Military Sealift Command's fleet replenishment oiler USNS Harvey Milk, Norfolk Virginia, Spetmeber 2024. Inset: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers his speech during 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday, May 31, 2025. More Main: LaShawn Sykes, Inset Anupam Nath/Main: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, Inset: AP Photo Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is looking to rename several Navy ships which honor civil rights leaders, according to documents obtained by CBS. These memos show Secretary Hegseth is changing the name of the USNS Harvey Milk at the beginning of Pride Month. The USNS Harvey Milk honors the memory of the gay rights campaigner who served in the Navy during the Korean War before being discharged for his sexuality. The USNS Harvey Milk is not the only ship that the Secretary wants to rename. He is also looking to change the names of several other ships named after civil rights campaigners and leaders. According to the memo this renaming is being done in "alignment with president" and "priorities of reestablishing the warrior culture." Chief Pentagon Spokesman, Sean Parnell, said in a statement to Newsweek: "Secretary Hegseth is committed to ensuring that the names attached to all DOD installations and assets are reflective of the Commander-in-Chief's priorities, our nation's history, and the warrior ethos." Read the full story by Sophie Clark on Newsweek.
