Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump made an appearance at Sunday night’s NFL matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets, as a guest of an undisclosed suite holder at Acrisure Stadium.
Around midway through the first quarter, Trump arrived and was met by a handful of supporters clad in Steelers jerseys, proudly displaying a banner that proclaimed “Trump Nation.” As he waved from his suite, enthusiastic fans chanted “USA” in support.
This surprising visit highlighted Trump’s whirlwind weekend in the crucial battleground state of Pennsylvania, with the upcoming election just over two weeks away. It also brought forth some interesting dynamics regarding team allegiances.
Being a New Yorker and an associate of Jets owner Woody Johnson—who served as U.S. ambassador to the UK under Trump—added complexity to the occasion. Meanwhile, the Steelers have been under the ownership of the Rooney family for over nine decades. Notably, the late Dan Rooney, former president and chairman, was also a U.S. ambassador to Ireland during the Obama administration from 2009 to 2012.
In a statement on the matter, club spokesperson Burt Lauten clarified that the Steelers did not take a stance on Trump’s attendance, explaining that he was merely a guest of a suite holder and not representing the team itself.
Several former Steelers expressed support for Trump, including wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le’Veon Bell, both of whom had tumultuous exits from the team in 2019, becoming less favored figures amongst fans.
On Sunday afternoon, the ex-teammates engaged with Trump’s campaign workers at an event close to the stadium and were present to greet him when he arrived at Pittsburgh International Airport just before kickoff.
In contrast, franchise legends Joe Greene, Jerome Bettis, and the family of the deceased Franco Harris voiced their support for Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
Trump’s association with Brown and Bell appeared unusual, given the complexity of their legacies with the Steelers. Antonio Brown, who enjoyed a stellar run in Pittsburgh from 2010 to 2018, forced a trade to Las Vegas later in 2019 following multiple personal controversies, including notably missing the last game of the 2018 season.
Le’Veon Bell’s tenure also ended amid a contract dispute, resulting in him sitting out the entirety of the 2018 season before eventually signing with the Jets in 2019. However, he struggled to regain his Pro Bowl-level performance since that time and has since stepped away from the NFL to pursue paths in celebrity boxing.
Aligning with Brown struck a discordant note in the region, particularly in light of his tumultuous exit from the Steelers. Brown transformed from a sixth-round draft selection into a celebrated All-Pro, but a series of off-field incidents ultimately derailed his promising career.
After being traded to the Oakland Raiders, Brown faced further controversies, culminating in his release without having played a single game. His quick signing with the Patriots also ended abruptly due to allegations of sexual misconduct, which he later resolved out of court.
Following stints that included winning a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brown faced additional challenges, including suspension and a notorious incident in which he left a game mid-play while abandoning his equipment.
Despite his troubling history making him a controversial figure, Brown still lingers near the periphery of the NFL. He had even been the majority owner of a National Arena League team in Albany, New York, until it was expelled for financial issues earlier this year.
When questioned earlier Sunday about his association with Brown, given the running back’s problematic past, Trump replied, “I don’t know anything about the allegations.” After learning it pertained to sexual assault claims, he reiterated, “I don’t know anything about it. I know he’s a hell of a football player.”
Around midway through the first quarter, Trump arrived and was met by a handful of supporters clad in Steelers jerseys, proudly displaying a banner that proclaimed “Trump Nation.” As he waved from his suite, enthusiastic fans chanted “USA” in support.
This surprising visit highlighted Trump’s whirlwind weekend in the crucial battleground state of Pennsylvania, with the upcoming election just over two weeks away. It also brought forth some interesting dynamics regarding team allegiances.
Being a New Yorker and an associate of Jets owner Woody Johnson—who served as U.S. ambassador to the UK under Trump—added complexity to the occasion. Meanwhile, the Steelers have been under the ownership of the Rooney family for over nine decades. Notably, the late Dan Rooney, former president and chairman, was also a U.S. ambassador to Ireland during the Obama administration from 2009 to 2012.
In a statement on the matter, club spokesperson Burt Lauten clarified that the Steelers did not take a stance on Trump’s attendance, explaining that he was merely a guest of a suite holder and not representing the team itself.
Several former Steelers expressed support for Trump, including wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le’Veon Bell, both of whom had tumultuous exits from the team in 2019, becoming less favored figures amongst fans.
On Sunday afternoon, the ex-teammates engaged with Trump’s campaign workers at an event close to the stadium and were present to greet him when he arrived at Pittsburgh International Airport just before kickoff.
In contrast, franchise legends Joe Greene, Jerome Bettis, and the family of the deceased Franco Harris voiced their support for Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
Trump’s association with Brown and Bell appeared unusual, given the complexity of their legacies with the Steelers. Antonio Brown, who enjoyed a stellar run in Pittsburgh from 2010 to 2018, forced a trade to Las Vegas later in 2019 following multiple personal controversies, including notably missing the last game of the 2018 season.
Le’Veon Bell’s tenure also ended amid a contract dispute, resulting in him sitting out the entirety of the 2018 season before eventually signing with the Jets in 2019. However, he struggled to regain his Pro Bowl-level performance since that time and has since stepped away from the NFL to pursue paths in celebrity boxing.
Aligning with Brown struck a discordant note in the region, particularly in light of his tumultuous exit from the Steelers. Brown transformed from a sixth-round draft selection into a celebrated All-Pro, but a series of off-field incidents ultimately derailed his promising career.
After being traded to the Oakland Raiders, Brown faced further controversies, culminating in his release without having played a single game. His quick signing with the Patriots also ended abruptly due to allegations of sexual misconduct, which he later resolved out of court.
Following stints that included winning a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brown faced additional challenges, including suspension and a notorious incident in which he left a game mid-play while abandoning his equipment.
Despite his troubling history making him a controversial figure, Brown still lingers near the periphery of the NFL. He had even been the majority owner of a National Arena League team in Albany, New York, until it was expelled for financial issues earlier this year.
When questioned earlier Sunday about his association with Brown, given the running back’s problematic past, Trump replied, “I don’t know anything about the allegations.” After learning it pertained to sexual assault claims, he reiterated, “I don’t know anything about it. I know he’s a hell of a football player.”
