Steelers, Bears stay unified during anthem

Sep 25, 2017 - 3:33 AM CHICAGO -- Rather than force players to decide how they would respond to comments made Friday by President Donald Trump, the Pittsburgh Steelers remained in their locker room during the national anthem prior to their 23-16 overtime loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told CBS Sports before Sunday's game that the choice to keep his team off the field during the anthem was not to be disrespectful. He said the decision was made in order to "remove ourselves from the circumstance."

Tomlin was on the Pittsburgh sideline for the anthem along with offensive coordinator Todd Haley, offensive line coach Mike Munchak and running backs coach James Saxon. Meanwhile, left tackle Alejandro Villanueva, a veteran who served in the Army, stood near the tunnel with his hand over his heart while his teammates remained hidden from view.

The Steelers were welcomed by boos as they ran on the field following the national anthem.

"These are very divisive times in the United States and it's a shame," Tomlin said after Sunday's loss. "We're not politicians, we're coaches and professional athletes."

He added: "To be quite honest with you, I didn't appreciate our football team being dragged into politics this weekend."

Asked about possibility of being fined by the league, Tomlin said he called NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Sunday morning and informed him of what the Steelers were planning.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger echoed Tomlin's comments and said the choice to remain in their locker room wasn't meant to disrespect "our troops and those that serve the country."

"They give us the freedom to play this game," Roethlisberger said.

Roethlisberger said the Steelers held a team meeting Saturday night because there were players who wanted to stand for the anthem and others who wanted to kneel. Roethlisberger said the team decided whatever they did, they had to remain unified.

"That is what this is all about," Roethlisberger said. "Staying together as one unit, one group, one brotherhood."

He added: "The conclusion was made by everybody that the best thing to do was to stay in the locker room and show respect that way."

As the anthem played with a large American flag unfurled across the field and held by fans, the Bears stood on their sideline with their arms locked.

Bears chairman George McCaskey, coach John Fox and several players -- including linebacker Danny Trevathan -- discussed what the best option would be, including kneeling during the anthem.

"As a unit, we had to show how unified we really were -- not one person missing in the link," Trevathan said. "Everybody had everybody's back today."

In a statement, McCaskey said the franchise is proud to "support our players, coaches and all members of our organization to bring peace and unity together through football."

McCaskey continued, "What makes this the greatest country in the world are our liberties it was founded upon and the freedom to express oneself in a respectful and peaceful manner. Through important dialogue with our players and team, this divisive political situation has unified our franchise for the present and the future."

Left guard Kyle Long said after Sunday's victory that he has come to know his team as a group that is respectful of a wide-ranging collection of opinions. But at a time where "there are obviously issues going on in the country", remaining together was critical.

"I think we did the right thing today," Long said.