Pittsburgh Steelers: Alejandro Villanueva speaks out

Pittsburgh Steelers tackle and former Army Ranger Alejandro Villanueva stood alone amidst national anthem protests, but explained his intentions.

Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Alejandro Villanueva is a hero to many people, for many reasons. His service in the military warrants the respect any of our men and women that choose to defend our freedoms deserve. His football abilities leave him as a hero to those wishing to be in the position he’s in right now. On Sunday, however, he was thrust into the national spotlight.

It will take you no longer than a two-minute search to find it. The image of Villanueva standing alone in the tunnel is now plastered all over social media. To many, it was a sign of respect to our nation’s flag — a sign of patriotism and signal of commitment to one’s country over anything else. He was, to many, a man who dared to stand for his country when others were kneeling.

Except, Villanueva didn’t intend it to be that way.

Villanueva joked that he felt like his head coach during a press conference held on Monday, making a light joke before many media members and more microphones. He opened up his press conference by saying this:

"“This national anthem sort of ordeal has been out of control, and I think there’s a lot to blame on myself, and I want to address it. So Saturday night, as you guys all know, there was a team meeting that was going to determine what we were going to do as a team. Coach [Mike] Tomlin gave us the guidance that we had to do it as one, so 100 percent, whatever it is that we had to do. There was disagreement in what we were going to do. And the only course of action was to go inside and remove ourself from the situation. It was never to disrespect the national anthem. Every single one of my teammates is extremely supportive and extremely patriotic in this locker room. And I can not only say that for this locker room, but I can say that across the NFL, every single player that I’ve gone against.”"

More from Pittsburgh Steelers

Oh how the tide turns for those Steelers fans that have denounced and shunned the organization when, in fact, the one man who did exactly what they wanted him to do, told the world his team wasn’t disrespecting the national anthem and how every single one of his teammates is “extremely supportive and patriotic” in the locker room.

As for the rest of the team behind him? Villanueva explained it was simply a misunderstanding on his part, saying he asked for team captain Ben Roethlisberger’s blessing to step out and was told the team would be behind him. Once he got out and the anthem started playing, he realized it was too late to go back and thus stood exactly where he was:

"“I would say that my personal thoughts about the situation is that regardless of this plan, very few players knew that I was going to the tunnel because I only asked the team leadership. And because of that I did not give them an opportunity to stand with me during the national anthem. That is the very embarrassing part of my end in what transpired, because when everybody sees an image of me standing by myself, everybody thinks that the team, the Steelers, are not behind me, and that’s absolutely wrong.”"

As much as people across the nation said they were planning to boycott the NFL, merchandise sales would disagree.

According to Darren Rovell of ESPN, Villanueva’s jersey is the best-selling jersey in the league since the infamous incident took place. Now surely the people who oppose standing for the anthem didn’t buy those, and surely those who chose to stop supporting didn’t buy those (because, you know, that money goes to the league and team) which leaves a paradox for one to solve.

Villanueva, however, was concerned still only about the effect his decision had on his team:

"“It’s completely wrong, and every single time I see that picture of me standing by myself I feel embarrassed to a degree, because like I said, unintentionally I left my teammates behind. It wasn’t me stepping forward.”"

Despite the near-16-minute long train of speech from Villanueva, many still refuse the words that were spoken by him, claiming he was “forced” by the team to step-back. While those people adjust their tin-foil hats, I’ll take this time to say that a man of Villanueva’s stature and status has obviously shown he will stand up for what he believes in, so why would he back-track if he did not feel the need to? In questioning the organization and the players/coaches, you are also questioning Villanueva for his actions as well.

Villanueva is as educated and well thought-out as he is physically strong. As a veteran of the military and playing in a league where many players have seen social injustice in their communities, he has not turned a blind eye to his co-workers. Although he mentioned he would continue to stand, when asked about the possibility of his teammates kneeling, he had this to say:

"“But I take no offense, I don’t think veterans at the end of the day take offense, they actually signed up and fought so that somebody could take a knee and protest peacefully for whatever it is their heart’s desire.”"

Whether you agree with Villanueva or not, he is simply a man who continues to stand up for what he believes, and in the same breath respects other opinions as well. What Villanueva did, especially in the fashion he did, warrants respect no matter what side of the issue you are on.

Before a group of the same people who made him out to be a loner, the left tackle recognized what he felt was a mistake and owned up to it, whether he had to or not, saying this before opening the floor for questions:

"“I’ve made Coach Tomlin look bad, and that is my fault, and that is my fault only. I made my teammates look bad, and that is my fault, and my fault only. And I made the Steelers also look bad, and that is my fault, and my fault only.”"

Next: 2017 NFL Picks, score predictions for Week 4

The Steelers have already announced they will be present on the field for next week’s national anthem against the Baltimore Ravens. Whether players will kneel or not remains a hot question during such an important week for the team. However, when the national anthem is being played, Villanueva won’t be alone, although he truly never was to begin with.

Home/Pittsburgh Steelers