Ben is garbage

[Shoe]

they have already come out and said what happened. it was butchered on the part of the steelers

AV just said he regrets how it went down and him appearing to put himself out there in front of the team

just seemed like a poorly thought out effort to make some kind of non statement by the organization. let the guys go out there and do what they feel

Despite the horrid tackling and poor offensive performance (Haley), I must say that this episode was the most troubling to me about yesterday. Because the tackling can/will improve, and as we know, the offense comes and goes as Ben comes and goes on the road.

With the flag thing, it had/has the potential to upset the whole apple cart. It did look like he threw the rest of the team under the bus, and I was sad to see that considering how much I like AV. I'll accept his explanation as reasonable, and I hope the team respects it in the same way. Unless they somehow had elected him to stand out there alone (which apparently they did not), it really made the rest of the team take a lot of flak (i.e. bunch of ingrates, un-American), etc. Given the context, I'm willing to chalk it up as a "mistake" as he called it. But anyone else? It sure looks like a grand-standing move.

[feltdizz]

Despite the horrid tackling and poor offensive performance (Haley), I must say that this episode was the most troubling to me about yesterday. Because the tackling can/will improve, and as we know, the offense comes and goes as Ben comes and goes on the road.

With the flag thing, it had/has the potential to upset the whole apple cart. It did look like he threw the rest of the team under the bus, and I was sad to see that considering how much I like AV. I'll accept his explanation as reasonable, and I hope the team respects it in the same way. Unless they somehow had elected him to stand out there alone (which apparently they did not), it really made the rest of the team take a lot of flak (i.e. bunch of ingrates, un-American), etc. Given the context, I'm willing to chalk it up as a "mistake" as he called it. But anyone else? It sure looks like a grand-standing move.

I thought it was cool.

He's a vet, it's different for him.

I thought it was intentional.

[squidkid]

I thought it was cool.

He's a vet, it's different for him.

I thought it was intentional.

intentional or not. it sure made him an instant fan favorite

[Slapstick]

The only mandate that Tomlin gave was for the players to decide what they were going to do as a team. Supposedly, they had a players only meeting and decided to stay in the tunnel. That was what was supposed to happen. The entire team was supposedly on board.

[NorthCoast]

intentional or not. it sure made him an instant fan favorite

Yep. #1 selling jersey in the NFL in the last 24 hrs.

[NJ-STEELER]

always has been.. lol.

as upset as I am I'm not really surprised. Every year we yap about how great this offense is going to be but we always forget that there is a good Ben and a bad Ben so it doesn't really matter.

when is good bell or a non 420 brained bryant going to show up?

[Ernie]

The only mandate that Tomlin gave was for the players to decide what they were going to do as a team. Supposedly, they had a players only meeting and decided to stay in the tunnel. That was what was supposed to happen. The entire team was supposedly on board.

Ben on record as saying the team was supposed to go out of the tunnel and stand right behind AV, but apparently they stopped when the anthem started playing.

[Slapstick]

Both Ben and AV went on record saying that AV asked to stand with the team captains at the front, and he was indulged. AV went on record saying that he accidentally got too far ahead and was embarrassed that he made the rest of the team look bad. Accidents happen. It's an emotional thing for AV, I'm sure.

[feltdizz]

when is good bell or a non 420 brained bryant going to show up?

When we start attacking the middle of the field and when we stop holding.

[papillon]

Both Ben and AV went on record saying that AV asked to stand with the team captains at the front, and he was indulged. AV went on record saying that he accidentally got too far ahead and was embarrassed that he made the rest of the team look bad. Accidents happen. It's an emotional thing for AV, I'm sure.

AV doesn't have to apologize to anyone, I wish he hadn't, in fact, he should have called the team for not wanting to be on the field during the anthem. He's probably the only leader that the Steelers have on the team, he should be a captain and they should have never put him that position by electing to stay in the tunnel, locker-room or wherever the hell they were going to stand. I feel bad for him and then Tomlin piles on with his idiotic comment about expecting 100% participation. Did anyone on that team really think that AV would be good with ignoring the NA? Really?

Pappy

[Slapstick]

AV doesn't have to apologize to anyone, I wish he hadn't, in fact, he should have called the team for not wanting to be on the field during the anthem. He's probably the only leader that the Steelers have on the team, he should be a captain and they should have never put him that position by electing to stay in the tunnel, locker-room or wherever the hell they were going to stand. I feel bad for him and then Tomlin piles on with his idiotic comment about expecting 100% participation. Did anyone on that team really think that AV would be good with ignoring the NA? Really?

Pappy

I think the point is that he was on board. He didn't apologize for standing for the National Anthem. He apologized for accidentally separating himself from the team after apparently agreeing to honor the team's decision. I don't think any of his teammates begrudge him that. I just think it made the rest of the team look bad unintentionally.

[Eich]

Mistakes or not, the plan of staying in the tunnel was not a good plan. Even if no one had been visible, the fans were taking this as hiding, a show of being a coward. The only effective way to remove yourself from the issue would have been to come out as a team and just stand at the anthem as though Kaepernick never existed. Then as a team, or as individuals, find ANOTHER means of supporting the cause, if it's that important to you.

After an entire offseason of outrage by the fans over what Kaepernick started, why is it not OBVIOUS that players need a different method to support the cause? Fans do not want the Anthem used in protest. PERIOD. Surely someone can come up with something better?

But after this past weekend, I sincerely hope that the players come to their senses and stop using the Anthem to make ANY kind of statement. It's time to just go to work and start winning.

[feltdizz]

Mistakes or not, the plan of staying in the tunnel was not a good plan. Even if no one had been visible, the fans were taking this as hiding, a show of being a coward. The only effective way to remove yourself from the issue would have been to come out as a team and just stand at the anthem as though Kaepernick never existed. Then as a team, or as individuals, find ANOTHER means of supporting the cause, if it's that important to you.

After an entire offseason of outrage by the fans over what Kaepernick started, why is it not OBVIOUS that players need a different method to support the cause? Fans do not want the Anthem used in protest. PERIOD. Surely someone can come up with something better?

But after this past weekend, I sincerely hope that the players come to their senses and stop using the Anthem to make ANY kind of statement. It's time to just go to work and start winning.

better? Seriously, if kneeling or not standing makes folks this angry there really isn't anything better one can do to protest.

I'm pretty sure anything athletes do will make fans mad because people feel like millionaire athletes should shut up and play.

I think we are playing a dangerous game when we try and force people to stand for the anthem.

[papillon]

Mistakes or not, the plan of staying in the tunnel was not a good plan. Even if no one had been visible, the fans were taking this as hiding, a show of being a coward. The only effective way to remove yourself from the issue would have been to come out as a team and just stand at the anthem as though Kaepernick never existed. Then as a team, or as individuals, find ANOTHER means of supporting the cause, if it's that important to you.

After an entire offseason of outrage by the fans over what Kaepernick started, why is it not OBVIOUS that players need a different method to support the cause? Fans do not want the Anthem used in protest. PERIOD. Surely someone can come up with something better?

But after this past weekend, I sincerely hope that the players come to their senses and stop using the Anthem to make ANY kind of statement. It's time to just go to work and start winning.

Yup, something better could have been done and that was to do it on their own time to raise awareness. The problem with that is that the players don't have the same bullhorn as the NFL, nobody cares if John Smith the 3rd string ILB for the 0-3 Cleveland Browns thinks he's been oppressed, or that police target African American males unfairly, etc. The players used what the NFL built to voice their protest and since the owners and the NFL let them, they get what they deserve. This should have and could have been nipped in the bud the first time kaepernick took a knee. Now they have a PR nightmare because Goodell's inability to have any consistency. Willie Gay isn't allowed to promote domestic abuse awareness, the Cowboys couldn't show support for the 5 officers murdered in Dallas, Manning couldn't pay tribute to Johnny Unitas, etc. but Kaepernick, he's allowed to kneel, break an NFL rule and disrespect the flag and vets and the NFL is fine with it because they don't want to appear to be racist. The NFL deserves everything they get and personally, I hope it hits them in the pocket hard.

Pappy

[Eich]

better? Seriously, if kneeling or not standing makes folks this angry there really isn't anything better one can do to protest.

I'm pretty sure anything athletes do will make fans mad because people feel like millionaire athletes should shut up and play.

I think we are playing a dangerous game when we try and force people to stand for the anthem.

Yes, better. Surely there is a better way to support the cause without doing it during a football game. Doing something on their own time. Hell, I'd rather they start wearing custom shoes and getting fined for it than doing something that angers a nation of fans.

No one is forcing them to stand for the anthem. But to continue kneeling after it's clear that the majority of fans and the nation, do not want the Anthem used in protest, is just stupid IMO. It's not helping the cause. The only reason to continue doing it now is defiance. Why would players want to continue angering their fan base? A fan base that I think mostly understands and sympathizes with their cause.

I think it's a dangerous game to start protesting any cause by using the Anthem before a game. What's next? What's the next issue that some player is going to protest? Maybe some player will start sitting? Or turning their back? There's enough issues in our country that every player from every race is affected in some way. So, maybe everyone should just sit. Maybe the fans should just stay in the concessions area or turn their backs or leave their hats on. Where does it stop?

Is it not possible to be simultaneously proud of your country while understanding that it's not perfect and certain injustices need to be corrected?