Steve Balich Editors note: Like it or not players have the constitutional right to protest. Those of us who follow football or any other sport have the right to not watch on tv or to go to the games. I was so glad to see the Bears locked arms and put their hand on their heart. The message to me was the Bears don’t want to dishonor the Anthem and will stand together in solidarity. The right to dissent is the Steelers right, yet protesting the Flag and or Anthem because some claim America has problems is just nuts. America is not perfect but it is still way better than anywhere else. So grown men who make millions having fun playing their sport protest the Anthem because America is so hard on them. Sports fans don’t want to hear editorials from the players, and by taking a side of a political argument will anger some while others are happy. Meanwhile the number of people watching is getting less and less just like the over taxed people in Illinois.
Steelers Stay In Locker Room During National Anthem; Bears Issue Statement After Trump’s Attacks On NFL
All eyes are on the NFL Sunday to see what stand players will take after President Trump attacked the franchise.
By Feroze Dhanoa (Patch National Staff) – Updated
“You know these are very divisive times for our country,” Head Coach Mike Tomlin told CBS. “And you know for us as a football field, it’s about us remaining solid. We’re not gonna be divided by anything said by anyone.”
The entirety of the team will remained inside the locker room with the exception of Alejandro Villanueva, who served in the Army, and stood outside the tunnel. The Bears stood with arms locked during the national anthem.
The Steelers were not on the sidelines during the national anthem. LT Alejandro Villanueva, who served in the Army, stood by the tunnel
National Anthem taking place in Chicago. Steelers sideline. On the other sideline Bears players standing in with arms locked hands on hearts
The protest is in response to President Donald Trump’s attacks on the NFL that started Friday when he said players who kneel during the national anthem should be fired and referred to them as “sons of b***hes.” Trump’s attacks only intensified from there as did a backlash from pro athletes who largely stand united in support for athletes who choose to exercise their First Amendment rights by kneeling during the national anthem.
Many expressed their support for the Steelers and the decision made by Tomlin.
