While the NFL’s new policy on the national anthem gives players a choice whether to stand at attention or stay in the locker room while it’s played, Steelers president Art Rooney II has a preference.
“I think the fans in this day and age have become accustomed to the teams being on the field standing for the anthem and I don’t think that’s too much to ask,” Rooney told three writers who cover the team Thursday.
He said NFL owners, at their meetings in Atlanta this week, tried to reach a compromise between players’ rights and those who want to see them stand at attention for the traditional pregame playing of the anthem.
“Over the last year, we’ve listened to voices over all different parts of the spectrum, including our players,” Rooney said. “I think we attempted to strike a balance between respecting the right of a player not to be forced to stand for the anthem on one hand while acknowledging the vast majority of fans who attend or watch our games who don’t come to see a political protest, most particularly the members of our military and veteran communities.”
Statement from Steelers President Art Rooney II: pic.twitter.com/ddSu1xdlTF
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 24, 2018
He acknowledged the new policy, just like the old one, will have its critics and won’t satisfy everyone.
“We’re in a time in this country where there is a divisive atmosphere, so that makes it tough to strike a balance but that’s what we’ve tried to do here,” Rooney said.
Rooney said he expects no issues to develop with the Steelers regarding the new policy: “The leadership we have on this team, the communications we have in this building, I just don’t expect us to have an issue with this. We didn’t have an issue last year. For some reason, people don’t seem to remember that, but we never had a player kneel last year, so I don’t expect it’s going to be an issue for us one way or another.”
Rooney did confirm an ESPN report that, while it was announced the owners voted “unanimously” for the new policy, there was no actual vote taken.
“There wasn’t a formal vote but, look, we went around the room and everybody spoke their piece,” Rooney said. “It wasn’t like anybody didn’t have a chance to express where they stood on this.”
He did take issue with a report that stated he said linking arms during the anthem would be a show of disrespect. On the contrary, Rooney said.
“Somewhere along the lines, it came out that I made a comment about linking arms,” Rooney said. “I don’t think I ever referred to that. I don’t think that’s a sign of disrespect. I think a lot of teams wound up doing that last year as a show of unity, and so I certainly don’t have an issue with that.
“But I don’t think it’s that complicated to interpret what kind of action manifests a protest.”
Our in-depth Steelers coverage is second to none.
Support quality journalism. Subscribe today.
First Published: May 24, 2018, 8:33 p.m.
Updated: May 24, 2018, 9:19 p.m.
