While many football players around the country have joined Colin Kaepernick in protesting the national anthem, the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers went a different route Monday night: a show of patriotism.
Members of both squads joined members of the military along the sidelines in holding aloft the field-sized flag unfurled during the national anthem before Monday night’s season opener at FedEx Field.
It was a marked contrast to scenes of players across the country who have followed Kaepernick’s lead in taking a knee during the national anthem to protest racial injustice.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said there was no question that his team would stand to honor teammate Alejandro Villanueva, a former U.S. Army Ranger who received the Bronze Star for serving three tours in Afghanistan.
Washington coach Jay Gruden said the moment of unity and patriotism “gives you goosebumps.”
“It was awesome, I tell you what,” he said. “The way the players … took part in it. That was fun to watch.”
The moment created a lot of reaction on social media:
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) September 12, 2016
#Redskins, #Steelers Stand Together Holding Flag During National Anthem https://t.co/VGrGazH2zI pic.twitter.com/sGZvzaeG6p
— CBS Philly (@CBSPhilly) September 13, 2016
Awesome: Steelers and Redskins players held up HUGE American flag, NO protests!! https://t.co/36BsrsuxWu pic.twitter.com/W7Nss2IFrX
— Right Scoop (@trscoop) September 13, 2016
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