One of the bigger controversies surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers over the last decade was during the 2017 season. Athletes around the league were standing up for their beliefs, which involved kneeling for the National Anthem. It was a display that numerous athletes described as a protest against systemic racism in the United States. This was a very touchy subject at the time with most teams, or at least individual players, joining in on this display of protest.
The Steelers found themselves at the epicenter of the controversy when former Army Ranger and offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva was the lone player standing in the tunnel during the anthem.