Steelers Now
Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph and safety Miles Killebrew explain their reasoning for attending the recent Trump rally in Pittsburgh.
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph and special teams captain Miles Killebrew have received a lot of backlash after joining president Donald Trump on stage at a rally at U.S. Steel’s Irvin Works in West Mifflin last week. The two responded to the recent criticism on Tuesday.
“There’s backlash every day you look on social media,” Rudolph said. “That’s the nature of social media. It’s the nature of why America’s so great because everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and speech is free.”
Killebrew reiterated a similar sentiment.
“Here’s the deal. I remember what it was like being a kid, and me and my friends growing up, we either wanted to be the president or have the chance to meet him one day. And yesterday, I got to meet the president. I’m not apologetic about that,” Killebrew said. “For anyone who thinks that’s a bad thing, to be honest, I couldn’t care less. I wasn’t there signing legislation. I was just there meeting the president and glad I did it.”
It’s not the type of response those upset were hoping to hear, especially after Steelers Hall of Honor member Rocky Bleier presented Trump with a Steelers jersey with the No. 47 on the back, and called him an “honorary Steeler.”
However, the Steelers responded via e-mail to fans and season ticket holders that had reached out, upset about the players’ appearance alongside Trump.
“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.”
The Rooney family has political ties on both sides of the aisle, with former chairman Dan Rooney serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland under President Barack Obama. Before his support for Obama and service in his administration, Dan Rooney had been a staunch Republican. Patrick Rooney Jr. and Tom Rooney, both nephews of Dan Rooney, have served as Republican legislators from Florida.
Former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis campaigned for Kamala Harris leading up to the 2024 election, and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz held an event at Acrisure Stadium.
Former Steelers Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell also supported Trump and spoke at a campaign event in Western Pa., before Trump attended a Steelers game against the New York Jets last season.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Mason Rudolph, Miles Killebrew Respond to Backlash for Attending Trump Rally: ‘I’m Not Apologetic’
