Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Alejandro Villanueva spoke out after Sunday’s win over the Baltimore Ravens and expressed his unhappiness over the way he feels the media is using him as a prop.
Villanueva was the only player to come out and stand for the anthem last week prior to the Steelers’ game at Chicago last weekend. The team had agreed to remain inside the locker room during the anthem, but he came out and stood, which many interpreted as his way of saying he didn’t agree with the protests.
Al Villanueva says, "I'm tired of the cameras in my face all the time…It's completely unacceptable to use me as a tool to push an agenda."
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) October 1, 2017
#Steelers LT Al Villanueva: "I love my teammates, I love Coach Tomlin, I love this organization and I love coming to work."
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) October 1, 2017
The Steelers were hoping to avoid becoming part of the story by remaining in the locker room during the anthem, and Villanueva said he was “embarrassed” that he chose to leave his teammates and stand alone. Now, it sounds like he is tired of hearing his name associated with all of the debates and discussion.
According to a report from Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the image of Villanueva standing alone at the end of the tunnel last weekend “continues to stir emotions within the locker room.”
Villanueva has seen a lot of positive reaction from fans, which was evident with the spike he had in jersey sales after he chose to go against the wishes of his teammates.
