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From Alejandro Villanueva's absurd apology for standing up for the flag, to his team's decision to stay off the field during the playing of the national anthem, the Pittsburgh Steelers have done an amazing job of extending a bad press cycle for themselves. And maybe that's because they are prioritizing protection of their flag-haters over the interest of pleasing their fans. First, there was the locker-room evasion. In the name of 'team unity' and a stated desire not to get involved in the politically charged atmosphere of President Trump's objections to players 'taking a knee' as the national anthem...

Allahpundit noted this morning that there has been a run on Alejandro Villanueva jerseys after he became the lone Steelers player to come out of the tunnel during the national anthem yesterday. Today, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger published his explanation of what happened, saying he wasn’t able to sleep last night and wishes the team had done things differently. I was unable to sleep last night and want to share my thoughts and feelings on our team’s decision to remain in the tunnel for the National Anthem yesterday. The idea was to be unified as a team when so much...

Pittsburgh Steelers fans are taking to social media to show how upset they are that the team stayed inside during the national anthem. “I’m a lifelong Steelers fan, not anymore. Not a fan of you, the NFL, any of it,” says Jim Heaney on YouTube. Heaney posted the video of himself setting all of his Steelers gear on fire following the team’s decision to decide to stay inside the locker room/tunnel during the national anthem. “And I hope all your ignorance burns too,” Heaney says as he throws his Steelers gear on the fire. Heaney ends his video by saying,...

The Pittsburgh Steelers “butchered” attempts to appear unified by sitting out the national anthem Sunday, the lone player to appear on the field revealed Monday. “This national anthem ordeal has been out of control, and there’s a lot of blame on myself,” lineman Alejandro Villanueva said Monday. SNIP “Every single time I see that picture of me standing by myself, I feel embarrassed,” he said.

"I personally don’t believe the Anthem is ever the time to make any type of protest," the Super Bowl-winning QB says. Ben Roethlisberger on Monday afternoon released a statement saying he regretted his Pittsburgh Steelers boycotting the national anthem on Sunday. The NFL team was the first of three to not come out for the pregame ritual. "I was unable to sleep last night and want to share my thoughts and feelings on our team’s decision to remain in the tunnel for the National Anthem yesterday," the Super Bowl-winning QB said in a statement. "The idea was to be unified...

FULL TITLE: 'I threw my teammates under the bus': Alejandro Villanueva says he planned to join Steelers in national anthem boycott and only ended up on the field when he accidentally walked out of the tunnel The Pittsburgh Steelers player who is being heralded for taking the field on Sunday for the national anthem despite the rest of the team boycotting has now revealed that it was all a big mistake, and he meant to be in the tunnel with his fellow players. 'Unfortunately I threw my teammates under the bus, unintentionally,' Alejandro Villanueva said on Monday. 'Every single time...

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pittsburgh Steelers lineman Alejandro Villanueva says the national anthem ordeal got out of control and he is taking the blame. “Unfortunately I threw my teammates under the bus, unintentionally,” Villanueva said. “Every single time I see that picture of me standing by myself I feel embarrassed,” Villanueva said in a press conference Monday. Villanueva was the only Steelers player standing outside the tunnel for the national anthem before their game Sunday against the Chicago Bears.The rest of the team remained in the tunnel. “I made my teammates look bad, and that is my fault, and my fault...

FULL TITLE: Ben Roethlisberger says he REGRETS Pittsburgh Steelers boycotting the anthem and reveals the decision left him 'unable to sleep The man who won two Super Bowls for the city of Pittsburgh says that he now regrets the fact that he and his Steelers teammates refused to stand on the field for the national anthem during Sunday's game. 'I was unable to sleep last night and want to share my thoughts and feelings on our team’s decision to remain in the tunnel for the National Anthem yesterday,' said Ben Roethlisberger in a statement. 'The idea was to be unified...

The Steelers will be on the sideline during the national anthem in future games, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and defensive end Cam Heyward said during a news conference Monday. Roethlisberger, via a statement posted on his website, said he has regrets over the Steelers’ decision to wait in the tunnel during the national anthem at Sunday’s game in Chicago, but that the team’s intent was not to protest the song, the flag or the military. Roethlisberger said that he personally believes that protests have no place during the national anthem, but that the idea was to show unity as a team...

Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Left tackle Alejandro Villanueva surprised his Pittsburgh Steelers teammates Sunday when he stood in the tunnel for the national anthem at Soldier Field. Several Steelers players told ESPN that they expected the entire team to stay in the locker room -- as planned -- for the pregame song. But the former Army Ranger decided to walk out of the locker room and stand in the tunnel with his hand over his chest during the rendition. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stood on his team's sideline during the song, without his team behind him. Villanueva served multiple terms...

Alejandro Villanueva is an American hero. He's a West Point graduate, former Army Ranger, served 3 tours in Afghanistan, recipient of the Bronze Star for valor and Bronze Star for overseas service. He also plays football for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Over the weekend, the Steelers decided they would remain inside the locker room during the National Anthem. Every single member of the Pittsburgh Steelers hid in the locker room -- except for one. Alejandro Villanueva.

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Alejandro Villanueva became the best-selling player in the NFL by midday Monday. Alejandro Villanueva's appearance on the field, as the only Steelers player to leave the tunnel for Sunday's national anthem, led to "confusion" for some teammates, a source said. A spokesman for Fanatics, which runs the NFL's online store, confirmed to ESPN that, over the past 24 hours, more Villanueva gear, including jerseys and name and number T-shirts, has been ordered than that of any other NFL player. Villanueva beat out New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for the top spot. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson...

I have been a Steelers fan since 1966, but no more.

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...

Can't come out and stand for our anthem or flag? I'm done with you. #BoycottPittsburghSteelers #BoycottTheNFLhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULJ4quHQxG4

My great uncle died in pearl harbor our family has had Marines and Army and Navy enlisted our son currently serves in the US Army that flag stands for every veteran Who is willing to lay down their life for their country and their fellow soldier no more disrespect of this great nation and our great patriots https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSxeF68FRsk

Coach Tomlin says that he respects the decision of his players to not appear for the national anthem. Yet he expresses clear disappointment with the decision Villanueva made to appear. So I guess player decisions are respected only when they fit the PC narrative. The relevant comments start at the 3:13 mark.

Thank You for your service and your courage both on the battlefield and the playing field. Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to believe in the most. That people are basically good; that honor, courage, and virtue mean everything; that power and money, money and power mean nothing; that good always triumphs over evil; and I want you to remember this, that love... true love never dies. You remember that, boy. You remember that. Doesn't matter if it's true or not. You see, a man should believe in those things,...

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin indicated Sunday night that he did not want offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva to stand for the national anthem, instead of sitting it out with the rest of his teammates. Villanueva, a former Army Ranger who served three tours in Afghanistan, was the only Steelers player to stand for the anthem. While Villanueva stood in the tunnel, hand over his heart, the rest of the team remained in the locker room in protest of President Trump’s comments that players who kneel during the national anthem should be fired. (RELATED: Former Army Ranger Is Only Steelers...

The specific rule pertaining to the national anthem is found on pages A62-63 of the league’s game operations manual, according to a league source. It states: “The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem. “During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that...