Steelers don’t take Trump’s bait, exercise right to not participate in anthem (Bradshaw disappoints)

Sporting News ^ | September 24, 2017 | Mike DeCourcy

[2ndDivisionVet]

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ sideline at Soldier Field was almost vacant, save for a few stray workers and four members of the coaching staff who stood at attention as the Star-Spangled Banner was sung in a deep bass by Lyric Opera of Chicago veteran Wilbur Pauley.

The only Steelers player within range of his voice was offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva, a West Point graduate and former Army Ranger who stood just outside the tunnel to the locker room, near the corner of the end zone.

The rest of the Steelers chose a unique protest in response to Donald Trump’s unprovoked verbal assault on their rights, as American citizens, to protest whatever injustices they might perceive. They remained in their locker room until it was time to begin the game.

Previously, they had avoided any on-field national anthem protests subsequent to Colin Kaepernick’s visible campaign regarding several episodes of harsh or deadly police treatment of African-Americans that occurred in summer 2016. Steelers players always had maintained it was out of respect for Villanueva, a valued teammate.

However, Trump’s rant this weekend at a rally in Alabama coerced every NFL locker room into making some sort of decision.

The Steelers chose wisely: They decided not to take Trump's bait.

What Trump wished to accomplish with his frantic Friday night vitriol was to entice every NFL player — but particularly those who are African-American — into wider and perhaps more involved protests so that those who have followed every one of his ludicrous convolutions could view their opponents more clearly.

That Trump continued to underscore his antipathy with tweets that were presented both Saturday and Sunday only reinforced his determination to force the players’ hands on this.

Every single player who knelt or raised a fist Sunday had not only the right to do so, but also the profound justification.

The man who was elected to serve as the president of the nation in which they work and reside had labeled some of them “sons of bitches” for choosing to exercise their First Amendment right to protest and declared they should be suspended from their jobs or fired for these actions. This represented both fouler language and stronger condemnation than he applied to the white supremacists whose Charlottesville protests in August resulted in the death of an innocent young woman.

Sunday morning on ABC News, treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin had attempted to justify his boss’ histrionics by explaining such protests should not be transacted while one is working one’s job; Mnuchin criticized the NFL for policing other personal statements the players might make through their apparel but not with their conduct during the national anthem.

However, work rules are a matter for the employer to decide in concert with whatever representation the work force might maintain. So if this were the subject of Trump’s rage, then perhaps the profanity should have been unleashed toward the NFL owners who either neglected — or chose not — to force such language into the collective bargaining agreement reached in 2011.

Trump declared the course he wanted those owners to follow — emphasis on the word “follow” here — but only opted to debase the players choosing to protest. He knows which Americans he values, and he wants those people to gain an unobstructed view of the ones he does not.

The Steelers were criticized by former coach Bill Cowher on CBS’ "The NFL Today" for their silent protest. “I think there’s a strongest message to be sent to be out there,” Cowher said. “You can still be united, but you can also have different thoughts on it. Whether you are kneeling, or whether you are standing, it’s an individual right. And I think it’s a stronger message than not going out there at all … We can be united, but we can think differently.”

The Steelers’ action reflected an awareness, however, that nothing about Trump’s words or actions indicates unity to be among his goals.

“People died for freedom,” Steelers Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw said on Fox's “NFL Sunday.”

“I’m not sure our president understands that freedom.”

Sunday before they played the Chicago Bears, the Pittsburgh Steelers freely exercised their right not to participate in a benign pregame ritual that Donald Trump had chosen to turn into a referendum on fitness to live in his America. Theirs was a most eloquent silence.

[Captain Peter Blood]

No I don’t think Bradshaw understands it and the Steelers did take the bait, they chose to ignore and hide like cowards.

Sporting events are not the pace for politics, protests or anything else not related to playing the game.

The NFL especially is what it is, Entertainment and Escapism, much like going to a movie. You want to get away from things, be entertained, and not have to think about the serious.

Yes these double digit ball players think this is a forum where they can shove their viewpoints in your face and you the fan will just put up with it.

Peak NFL has happened and College may not be far behind, over-saturation of the market, a declining product that is boring and too long and now political and social issues being pushed into it.

The fans don’t want it and I think the ratings will continue to slide and that will impact the value of the franchises and the TV money.

They have brought this on themselves, yet they don’t see it that way. Let the ratings slide another 12% or so and some kind of reality and panic will set in. The sad part is might be too late by then and a lot of fans may not ever come back.

[RicocheT]

Packers Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks, along with rookie cornerback Kevin King, sat during Sunday’s national anthem at Lambeau Field. I and my wife are disappointed in the Packer players and management for this disrespect.

[Thank You Rush]

I see the team they played in the very last paragraph but who won? Chicago team - HA! Can’t expect much from them from obozo’s HOME TOWN as he calls it!! Of course, he didn’t go there until he was in his twenties but nevertheless, it’s his hometown!

[7thson]

This is something that astounds me that these leftists cannot seem to understand. The same freedom and rights they proclaim for themselves can also be used by others to criticize the sports figures who are doing these “protests.” If I remember correctly, during the past 8 years, the media asked Obama everything that had nothing to do with the Presidency. Now they are upset that there is now a President who gives his opinion without being asked for it.

[CheneyClone]

Karma has a way of coming around to bite these guys in the behind. Steelers lose to the lowly effin Bears in OT.

What is that term, schadenfreude?

[SunkenCiv]

23-17 OT loss to the Bears.

[stylin19a]

NFL rules require teams be on the sidelines for the national anthem.

I wonder what the Steelers fines will be ?

[TTFlyer]

Carolina’s Cam Newton said Trump’s comments “were unacceptable.” Also, the Panther’s Julius Peppers stayed in the locker room during the anthem

Well Cam Newton, you’re play as QB is “unacceptable.” You suck. You’re one of the worst QB’s in the NFL. And you dress like a New Orleans pimp. You will meet the same fate as Kaeperdick. One good year and the rest barely mediocre - then cut from the league.

As for Peppers, I have never liked that selfish jackass.

[LeoTDB69]

Bradshaw has the IQ of a tree stump.

Depends on what kind of tree. Some tree stumps might make him look even dumber.

[Tucker39]

Bradshaw is a Loozianner Koonass democRAT, so don’t look for anything great out of him. He most probably voted for Hilliary, too.

[Federal46]

I think back to what Hollywood Henderson said about Terry Bradshaw Terry couldn’t spell cat if you spotted him the c and the t.

[Tucker39]

I think it’s something else. See Reply #50.

[ripley]

“I’m not sure our President understands that freedom.”

Another brilliant intellectual genius who has taken it upon himself to judge the psychological ability and condition of one with whom he does not agree.

IMHO

[Gene Eric]

Bradshaw’s commitment to his paycheck is far stronger than his commitment to the Military, Flag, Country.

[DoodleBob]

Let me get this straight. Remember this?

There was lots of talk about the incidence of domestic violence rising during football games and - in particular - the Super Bowl. Then came all the players and their wife/girlfriend battery incidents. All this culminated in a series of PSAs.

Fast-forward to now. Wouldn't it stand to reason that IF there was more abuse during football games, that the anti-abuse crowd would LOVE the current backlash and attendant diminishment of abuse?

Where are the press releases supporting or encouraging men to stop watching football and instead reconnecting with their wives, their kids, to inter alia, combat abuse?

Wouldn't that be something else....NOW and Deplorables united on an issue.

This is EXACTLY why statists feared a Trump presidency. Unlike Hillary, Trump is a uniter.

[trisham]

Henderson is a moron. He probably had to read that statement off of a card.

[Vigilanteman]

Yep . . . and this former Steelers fan was rooting for the Bears just for that reason. Tomlin and the rest of the ObaMao worshipers can go to hades.

[Vigilanteman]

Yep . . . and this former Steelers fan was rooting for the Bears just for that reason. Tomlin and the rest of the ObaMao worshipers can go to hades.

[jch10]

Standing up for America is never a bad thing. Terry Bradshaw, I am ashamed of you!

[V K Lee]

I’m not certain Terry Bradshaw does either.

Hey, Terry, this one’s for you, son. Listen and learn the reason our flag is given the RESPECT It’s due. MEN DIED defending it, more men will die doing the same. THESE MEN DIED for YOU, you jackass. Wise up or leave.

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