Some Steelers fans were upset about quarterback Mason Rudolph’s recent appearance at a Donald Trump rally, prompting a response from the team.
Rudolph, along with veteran safety Miles Killebrew and 1970s-era running back Rocky Bleier, presented the U.S. president with a Steelers No. 47 jersey during an event Friday near Pittsburgh.
Some fans were unhappy about it and voiced their complaints with the team, which responded with an email on Monday that reminded fans that the opinions of individual players “do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization.”
“We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us. As valued fans, your voice is an essential part of what makes our Steelers community and fan base so strong,” read the email, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
“We understand that a recent rally in Pittsburgh has generated a range of reactions from our fan base. Our alumni and current players make their own individual decisions that reflect their views, and they do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your passion and your continued support of the team.”
Rudolph, 29, was asked about the controversy on Wednesday at team workouts.
“There’s backlash every day,” he said. “You look on social media, there’s constant … that’s the nature of social media. That’s why America is so great. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Speech is free. Par for the course.”
Barring the signing of free agent Aaron Rodgers, Rudolph is in line to be the starting quarterback for the Steelers in 2025 following the departures of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
Rudolph is 9-8-1 as an NFL starter, completing 63.7 percent of his passes for 4,615 yards with 28 touchdowns and 20 interceptions for the Steelers (2019-21, 2023) and Tennessee Titans (2024).
Killebrew, 32, is a special teams standout who was selected for the Pro Bowl the last two seasons and first-team All-Pro in 2023. He has 161 tackles and two interceptions in 146 games (five starts) for the Detroit Lions (2016-20) and Steelers (2021-present).
–Field Level Media
