Why the Steelers Stayed in the Locker Room During the National Anthem

A lot of opinions are being tossed around this Sunday about NFL players, coaches, and owners and their collective decision to silently protest police brutality against African Americans and a racist president who is attacking them.

From fans at the games and watching at home to basically all of the major television news broadcasts, NFL players’ protests are the big topic this weekend.

First the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars linked arms and took a knee at Wembley Stadium in London. Then, the Pittsburgh Steelers took it a step further at Soldier Field in Chicago by announcing they would stay in the locker room during the playing of the national anthem.

Some Steelers fans were upset by this, but before jumping to an opinion, it’s important to listen to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin explain that decision.

Tomlin told CBS:

We’re not going to be divided by anything said by anyone. That’s the thing that I posted to our guys. I said, ‘If you feel the need to do anything, I’m gonna be supportive of that. As Americans, you have that right. But whatever we do, we’re gonna do 100%, we’re gonna do together. We’re not gonna let divisive times or divisive individuals affect our agenda.”