Two Pittsburgh Steelers players, including Mason Rudolph, who is currently in line to be the Steelers’ starting quarterback, recently attended a local rally for United States President Donald Trump.
The players received backlash for the appearance, and both are issuing statements doubling down on their decisions, a rather shocking move in the current political climate.
“There’s backlash every day you look on social media,” Rudolph said, according to Steelers Now. “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.”
Mile Killebrew, the other attendee, released a similar statement.
“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. 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.”
Fans reacted to the responses on social media.
“I love these guys more that they are unapologetic President Trump bringing steel jobs back to Pittsburgh supporters!” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Great response! Stand firm with Rocky Bleir and Trump,” another person added.
“It would be OK if they said they support Trump too. They didn’t say that. Either way, there should be no controversy,” someone else wrote.
It’ll be interesting to see what their teammates think of their decision to attend the rally.
