Steelers teammate ‘stunned’ by Al Villanueva masking

The Pittsburgh Steelers have an issue on their fingers and it has nothing to do with what occurred on the sphere.

The staff voted to put on the identify of Antwon Rose Jr., — a black teenager killed by police in Pittsburgh in 2018 — on the again of their helmets throughout every recreation this season. However in Monday night time’s season-opening win over the Giants, one participant, offensive lineman Al Villanueva, taped over the identify and put instead the identify of Military Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe, a Black soldier who was killed on responsibility in Iraq and was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for heroism.

Villanueva is a former Military Ranger and obtained permission to make the change from head coach Mike Tomlin, however didn’t focus on it with any of his teammates — and a few of them didn’t appear happy.

“I used to be stunned by what Al did,” defensive lineman Cam Heyward informed reporters Wednesday. “You’ll have to speak to him sooner or later, however on this nation, we’re given the liberty to do and assist people who imply loads to us.”

Ben Roethlisberger added: “I didn’t find out about Al’s alternative for the again of his helmet. That’s his alternative. That’s the wonderful factor concerning the nation we stay in. Sadly, it’s what it’s.”

Tomlin defended Villanueva’s proper to honor a distinct particular person.

“He did focus on that with me,” Tomlin stated Tuesday. “And that is according to every little thing we stated about taking part in components of social justice this offseason. As an organization- and myself as a head coach of an organization- we’re going to assist our gamers in nevertheless they select to take part and specific themselves or to not take part or not specific themselves, so long as they achieve this thoughtfully and with class.”

Rose’s mom, Michelle Kenney, wrote Tuesday on Fb that she was sad with the change.

“Let me [be] very very very clear,” Kenney wrote, based on ESPN. “The Pittsburgh Steelers took a staff vote. Clearly one particular person didn’t just like the outcomes in order that they selected to do one thing completely different. I’ve nothing in opposition to vets and completely respect every little thing that they’ve completed and proceed to do for us. However this one particular person confirmed us precisely who he’s and clearly he didn’t approve of how the vote turned out. For my part; that’s for his coach, staff and group to deal with NOT ME! Whereas he was so busy being unfavorable what it truly did now compelled extra folks to interact on this dialog… I’m going to make use of this unfavorable press and negativity to inspire me to carry the Pittsburgh Steelers much more accountable!!!”

Villanueva made headlines in 2017 when the Steelers opted to remain within the locker room in the course of the nationwide anthem earlier than a recreation in Chicago after President Trump criticized gamers for not standing for the anthem. Villanueva, who served excursions in Afghanistan, determined to face in entrance of the tunnel within the stadium so he might see the flag.

Villanueva informed Roethlisberger of his plan on the time, however Villanueva later stated he was sorry for placing his staff in an uncomfortable place after footage had been seen of him watching the anthem on his personal.