Alejandro Villanueva was the only Steelers player visible during the national anthem.
Offensive lineman Alejandro Villanueva was the only Steelers player who was visible during the national anthem before their 23-17 loss Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago. He stood at the end of a tunnel with his hand over his heart while his teammates stayed mostly out of view behind him until after the song concluded.
Coach Mike Tomlin said the team did not participate in the anthem because it did not want players to have to choose whether to protest or not amid President Donald Trump’s criticism of other NFL players who have protested during the anthem in the past.
A former Army Ranger, Villanueva has opposed such protests since former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick started a wave of them a year ago. Villanueva did not speak with reporters after the game to explain his appearance, but he has been vocal about his feelings in the past.
“I agree that America is not perfect, I agree there are lot of issues with minorities in this country, I agree we should do something about it,” Villanueva said last year.
“But I don’t know if the most effective way is to sit down when the national anthem of the country that is providing you freedom and providing you $60 million a year is the best way to do it when there are black minorities that are dying in Iraq and Afghanistan and protecting our freedom for less than $20,000 a year.”
Villanueva served overseas in places including Afghanistan, where he was deployed three times during his service from 2010-13. His many decorations include the Bronze Star Medal for Valor. And he has said he is passionate about the song.
“I just know I’m very thankful to be an American,” Villanueva said. “I will stand very proudly and sing every single line of the national anthem every single time I hear it. I will stop whatever I’m doing because I recognize I have to be very thankful to be in this country.”