THE Pittsburgh Steelers have sent a letter to fans after a backlash last week.
Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph appeared on stage with President Donald Trump.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph appeared at an event with President Donald Trump[/caption]
Rudolph is currently in position to be the Steelers starter[/caption]
And that led to angry complaints from some of the fan base.
Pennsylvania is a swing state in the US presidential election.
The state has plenty of democratic supporters as well as republican backers of Trump.
And the Steelers organization has close ties with the democratic party.
Their late chairman Dan Rooney was appointed the US Ambassador to Ireland by President Barack Obama.
That led to some of their fan base being left annoyed at Rudolph’s appearance with President Trump.
The quarterback was on stage with the President at a rally related to steel tariffs in Pennsylvania last week.
The Steelers told their fans, “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.
“Thank you again for sharing your thoughts.
“We appreciate your passion and your continued support of the team.”
President Trump was at the Super Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana in February.
He became the first sitting President in history to attend the NFL showpiece.
And he was mostly cheered by fans in the stadium when he flashed up on the big screen at the Superdome.
NFL WEEK 1 SCHEDULE
(All times ET)
Thur 4 Sept
8.20 pm – Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Fri 5 Sept
8pm – Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers
Sun 7 Sept
1pm – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
1pm – Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
1pm – Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts
1pm – Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots
1pm – Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
1pm – Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets
1pm – New York Giants at Washington Commanders
1pm – Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars
4.05 pm – Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos
4.05 pm – San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
4.25 pm – Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
4.25 pm – Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams
8.20 pm – Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
Mon 8 Sept
8.15 pm – Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 to win Super Bowl LIX.
They were invited to the White House to meet the President, as is tradition for US sporting champions.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts was among the players to skip the event.
Trump said, “We’re thrilled to welcome everyone to the White House – special place – and to celebrate Super Bowl LIX champions the Philadelphia Eagles.
“The Eagles have turned out to be an incredible team and incredible group with a fantastic coach and coaches.
“Two years ago the Eagles came incredibly close to football immortality and Super Bowl LVII, you remember that game.
“But after a hard fought game you suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs by just three points, it looked like you had the game.”
