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Steelers Alejandro Villanueva: ‘I Threw My Teammates Under The Bus Unintentionally’

For ***** sake, it's here too. Jeezuz, I just don't get why we give a **** about these players politics. I said it before, and I'm going to say it again right now, if Kap had Bradys talent, he could **** the statue of liberty in the *** while ******** on a flag, and holding up a poster praising North Korea. He'd still be starting somewhere. There just aren't enough guys with the talent level that it takes to play in the NFL out there for any team to give two ***** about what someone thinks politically. That's why the whole idea of this forced patriotism thing is misguided. Leave that flag waving rah rah usa **** for the political arena, the only flag I give a **** about from kickoff to the final whistle is the Steeler flag.

I respect what this country was founded on, freedom. That INCLUDES the freedom to say you think the current president is a dickbag, especially when he just so happens to be one. It also includes a whole lot of other **** I don't agree with, like prancing your racist *** down main street with a swastika on your shoulder. All of that horseshit is protected, as it should be. Period. Now I could go on about how strange it is our President has decided to go on for days upon days about this current situation, yet the white supremacists got one forced speech from him, but what's the point. Everyone knows how that went down, and everyone knows why he's decided THIS particular issue is better suited to his base.

Joe
 
Steelr4evr said:
Your teammates threw you under the bus pulling that ******* stunt. What did people think was going to happen? That was never going to end well period.
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bingo
Tomlin was not looking for "participation", he was looking for CONFORMITY.
 
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Roethlisberger Regrets National Anthem Protest

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Monday that he regrets participating in his team's Sunday protest of the national anthem.

Roethlisberger released a statement in which he said that he does not "believe the Anthem is ever the time to make any type of protest"

http://freebeacon.com/culture/roethlisberger-regrets-protest/

-----------------------


That's my QB
 
AV owes no player an explanation, truth the players should have walked out and stood by him. They threw him under the bus when the whole situation was brought up in a players only meeting. Tomlin backed the bus back over AV with his presser.
 
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Stewey said:
Guess who's jersey is the 1# seller?

http://www.foxbusiness.com/politics...selling-jersey-since-standing-for-anthem.html

Yeah, the fans do care.

A West Point grad and war hero who happens to be Hispanic...and "racist white Americana" is buying his jersey.
If a black player performed the same gesture as Big Al, his jersey would have been the best seller as well.

This fake racism is nauseating.
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NFL isn't getting one more dime from me.
But I am purchasing an Army Golden Knights #82 jersey.
 
Joey Porters Taint said:
I’m not trolling, it’s the truth. Go study your draft history.
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Al Villaneuva is a US Army Ranger Captain that did three tours in A'Stan. For whatever reason he wound up alone standing tall and facing the flag during the National Anthem, he has earned that right. Whoever decided he was selfish or suggested he apologize and put him in a position to feel like he did something wrong?? They're a bigger jagoff than you and don't even pack the gear to carry Villanevas jock for crissakes.
 
Blitzburgh said:
Kaepernick preached he wanted change but didn't even vote.
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Kap was quoted elsewhere here in P&R that he wasn't crazy about Hildebeast deleting all those emails. Fine enough, but he could have at least voted for the dope smoking Libertarian.
 
I had to step away for a few days, so I'm chiming in late. Can't help but to think...if it's not about the flag, then why protest the flag? Why not...since the NFL has relaxed the group celebration rule, why not have the entire offense take a knee in the endzone after a TD? I'd be OK with that, but I'm willing to bet the primadonnas wouldn't want to sacrifice their "me time" for the cause.

I THINK the truth behind what happened with the Steelers lies somewhere in the middle of what we've heard from Tomlin, Ben and Big Al. I 100% believe Tomlin gave the 100% in agreement edict. I believe the team "decided" to stay in the tunnel, but I THINK this is where truth begins to blur. Al said he went directly to Ben. I THINK Al went directly to Ben and asked if he could be exempt, and Ben alone gave him the green light. I can understand why Al would look to Ben as the decision maker, and I can understand why Ben would think it would be OK. Nobody anticipated it would blow up the way it did. Ben said he lost sleep over it. Would he lose sleep if it was a team decision or because he knows he was the one that told Al it was OK to deviate? The two of them feel the greatest guilt (I say guilt, but I don't blame them for anything) that is why Al made his apology and that's why Ben lost sleep. They made a mistake based on a miscalculation. My theory only.

BUT...THIS is what really bothers me. Tomlin's press conference (I think his second on the subject)...he talked about how diverse the NFL is...racial diversity, socioeconomic diversity, geographic diversity...all valid points. As a 26 year military vet...also a diverse institution...I can tell you...you cannot toss a HUGE decision to a large group of young DIVERSE people and demand they come to a consensus. In a locker room a 53 men, you're going to have 53 opinions. You need a leader to make that decision. THAT IS WHAT LEADERS ARE PAID TO DO!!!! Tomlin failed his team. He made them look bad. Tomlin should have made a decision and demanded 100% participation. THAT'S WHAT REAL LEADERS DO! It doesn't surprise me though. Lack of leadership is so obvious in his teams. That explains playing down to lesser competition. That explains all the penalties. That explains not playing to their potential.

I know many will disagree...fire away. I'm a big boy...I can tolerate differing opinions.
 
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pittbull said:
I had to step away for a few days, so I'm chiming in late. Can't help but to think...if it's not about the flag, then why protest the flag? Why not...since the NFL has relaxed the group celebration rule, why not have the entire offense take a knee in the endzone after a TD? I'd be OK with that, but I'm willing to bet the primadonnas wouldn't want to sacrifice their "me time" for the cause.

I THINK the truth behind what happened with the Steelers lies somewhere in the middle of what we've heard from Tomlin, Ben and Big Al. I 100% believe Tomlin gave the 100% in agreement edict. I believe the team "decided" to stay in the tunnel, but I THINK this is where truth begins to blur. Al said he went directly to Ben. I THINK Al went directly to Ben and asked if he could be exempt, and Ben alone gave him the green light. I can understand why Al would look to Ben as the decision maker, and I can understand why Ben would think it would be OK. Nobody anticipated it would blow up the way it did. Ben said he lost sleep over it. Would he lose sleep if it was a team decision or because he knows he was the one that told Al it was OK to deviate? The two of them feel the greatest guilt (I say guilt, but I don't blame them for anything) that is why Al made his apology and that's why Ben lost sleep. They made a mistake based on a miscalculation. My theory only.

BUT...THIS is what really bothers me. Tomlin's press conference (I think his second on the subject)...he talked about how diverse the NFL is...racial diversity, socioeconomic diversity, geographic diversity...all valid points. As a 26 year military vet...also a diverse institution...I can tell you...you cannot toss a HUGE decision to a large group of young DIVERSE people and demand they come to a consensus. In a locker room a 53 men, you're going to have 53 opinions. You need a leader to make that decision. THAT IS WHAT LEADERS ARE PAID TO DO!!!! Tomlin failed his team. He made them look bad. Tomlin should have made a decision and demanded 100% participation. THAT'S WHAT REAL LEADERS DO! It doesn't surprise me though. Lack of leadership is so obvious in his teams. That explains playing down to lesser competition. That explains all the penalties. That explains not playing to their potential.

I know many will disagree...fire away. I'm a big boy...I can tolerate differing opinions.
Click to expand...

I. agree. salut.
 
pittbull said:
I had to step away for a few days, so I'm chiming in late. Can't help but to think...if it's not about the flag, then why protest the flag? Why not...since the NFL has relaxed the group celebration rule, why not have the entire offense take a knee in the endzone after a TD? I'd be OK with that, but I'm willing to bet the primadonnas wouldn't want to sacrifice their "me time" for the cause.

I THINK the truth behind what happened with the Steelers lies somewhere in the middle of what we've heard from Tomlin, Ben and Big Al. I 100% believe Tomlin gave the 100% in agreement edict. I believe the team "decided" to stay in the tunnel, but I THINK this is where truth begins to blur. Al said he went directly to Ben. I THINK Al went directly to Ben and asked if he could be exempt, and Ben alone gave him the green light. I can understand why Al would look to Ben as the decision maker, and I can understand why Ben would think it would be OK. Nobody anticipated it would blow up the way it did. Ben said he lost sleep over it. Would he lose sleep if it was a team decision or because he knows he was the one that told Al it was OK to deviate? The two of them feel the greatest guilt (I say guilt, but I don't blame them for anything) that is why Al made his apology and that's why Ben lost sleep. They made a mistake based on a miscalculation. My theory only.

BUT...THIS is what really bothers me. Tomlin's press conference (I think his second on the subject)...he talked about how diverse the NFL is...racial diversity, socioeconomic diversity, geographic diversity...all valid points. As a 26 year military vet...also a diverse institution...I can tell you...you cannot toss a HUGE decision to a large group of young DIVERSE people and demand they come to a consensus. In a locker room a 53 men, you're going to have 53 opinions. You need a leader to make that decision. THAT IS WHAT LEADERS ARE PAID TO DO!!!! Tomlin failed his team. He made them look bad. Tomlin should have made a decision and demanded 100% participation. THAT'S WHAT REAL LEADERS DO! It doesn't surprise me though. Lack of leadership is so obvious in his teams. That explains playing down to lesser competition. That explains all the penalties. That explains not playing to their potential.

I know many will disagree...fire away. I'm a big boy...I can tolerate differing opinions.
Click to expand...

I agree with the Ben and Al part 100% man...spot on observation by you.

However...disagree somewhat with the Tomlin and leadership piece..I believe he did make a decision and that decision after getting the pulse in the locker-room, which every coach worth a pint of owl piss should do, he made the decision that ALL players would stay in the locker-room..

This decision and direction to the team would of went extremely well, if the entire team would of did just that.

And please everyone...hear this loud and clear...
I am not implying that Al V. doesn't have the right to do what he did, in fact he has every right to do what he did...

This is where Tomlin missed an opportunity to handle this situation even more properly.
In hind-sight he should of made the leadership decision to allow Al V. to represent the team on the field with the other coaches for the anthem.
He then could of explained this was out of respect to AL's distinguished service to his country and the teams immense respect to him as a decorated Army Ranger.

If it would of went down this way...Tomlin would be getting praised and not crucified for how he handle this delicate situation.
 
Tomlin and Art 2 ****** up. Plain and simple. I do not care if they "held a vote," as NFL teams are not democracies. Only the coach and the owner have the authority to make such a decision.

I'm just so disappointed in the Steelers.


Honestly, I do not even care about the kneeling crap, but to not even take the field for the anthem was beyond disgraceful and crosses the line with me.

.
 
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Punxsutawney said:
Tomlin and Art 2 ****** up. Plain and simple. I do not care if they "held a vote," as NFL teams are not democracies. Only the coach and the owner have the authority to make such a decision.

I'm just so disappointed in the Steelers.


Honestly, I do not even care about the kneeling crap, but to not even take the field for the anthem was beyond disgraceful and crosses the line with me.

.
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Actually Tomlin only has authority related to football matters. Not non-football business. Art 2 only has the authority related to that.

The whole problem is the owners allowed this to happen with the player patriotism contract from the DOD back in 2009. However, (and the NFLPA knows this all to well), this wasn't negotiated in the CBA. So the owners could require the players to stand at the anthem as a directive. But, this would be in breach of the CBA, NFLPA would file suit and then there is the problem. Goodell's decision making, on behalf of the owners, has already received attention from Congress, which have threatened to pull their League Anti-Trust exemption because of the poor decisions made by Goodell (SpyGate, DeflateGate, Ray Rice, A. Peterson......the list goes on.

The owners don't want to get into another spat with the NFLPA about the current CBA. Rest assured, this will be brought up in the next CBA about players "rights to use the League as a platform".
 
Again Yes he did throw the team under the bus. Don’t agree and then when it comes time grandstand. He stood out there like a big dummy. Made everybody look bad. Selfish moron.
 
Ike Kelly said:
Actually Tomlin only has authority related to football matters. Not non-football business. Art 2 only has the authority related to that.

The whole proble,m is the owners allowed this to happen with the player patriotism contract from the DOD back in 2009. However, (and the NFLPA knows this all to well), this wasn't negotiated in the CBA. So the owners could require the players to stand at the anthem as a directive. But, this would be in breach of the CBA, NFLPA would file suit and then there is the problem. Goodell's decision making, on behalf of the owners, has already received attention from Congress, which have threatened to pull their League Anti-Trust exemption because of the poor decisions made by Goodell (SpyGate, DeflateGate, Ray Rice, A. Peterson......the list goes on.

The owners don't want to get into another spat with the NFLPA about the current CBA. Rest assured, this will be brought up in the next CBA about players "rights to use the League as a platform".
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Pregame routine can easily be construed as a "football matter."

Tomlin, himself, admitted he put the decision to a vote to avoid the team appearing divided on the field. Some good that did, as it made them seem like even bigger ******** in the process.

The owners and coaches can not force them to stand, kneel, or whatever doing the anthem, but being on the field during it is technically part of the show the players get paid hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars to participate in.
 
Devils advocate hypothetical: So Antonio Brown says **** it and takes a knee in Baltimore and the Steelers, not wanting to make a bad situation worse, made a strong statement and released him, would you support their decision and why or why not?
 
Joey Porters Taint said:
Again Yes he did throw the team under the bus. Don’t agree and then when it comes time grandstand. He stood out there like a big dummy. Made everybody look bad. Selfish moron.
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They threw themselves under the bus.

Villanueva has more integrity and professionalism than the vast majority of Steelers players.

At least he had the balls to stand in front of the crowd.
 
Punxsutawney said:
They threw themselves under the bus.

Villanueva has more integrity and professionalism than the vast majority of Steelers players.

At least he had the balls to stand in front of the crowd.
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Sorry dude but to say one thing to your team and then do another to act all high and mighty is ****** no matter how you spin it.
 
Joey Porters Taint said:
Sorry dude but to say one thing to your team and then do another to act all high and mighty is ****** no matter how you spin it.
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Sorry dude but country comes before some sports team. At least someone out of the group decided to do the right thing. He should have NEVER been put in that position in the first place. He certainly didn't have jack **** to apologize for.
 
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