Steelers offensive lineman Alejandro Villanueva was the only Steelers player who was visible during the national anthem before the team’s game Sunday in Chicago. He stood at the end of a Soldier Field tunnel with his hand over his heart while his teammates eschewed taking the field until after the song concluded.
Coach Mike Tomlin said the team did not want players to have to choose to protest or not amid President Donald Trump’s criticism of players who have protested during the anthem in the past.
A former Army Ranger, Villanueva has himself opposed such protests since former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick started a wave of them last year.