The Pittsburgh Steelers have recently announced that they are going to host former president and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at this Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.
Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten announced the news on his X account. However, the focus is less on the former president’s visit and more on potential difficulties for fans.
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – SEPTEMBER 28: Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump, watches the Alabama Crimson Tide versus Georgia Bulldogs college football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Trump attended the college football game in Tuscaloosa ahead of his intended campaign rally in key battleground state Georgia on Monday.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
“With former president Trump expected to attend Sunday night’s game as a guest of an individual suite hlder, we are working with Secret Service and local authorities to ensure the safety and security of all our fans,” Lauten said.
“As always, we will work to make the fan experience the same as it always is for every Steelers’ home game at Acrisure Stadium.”
“We encourage fans to arrive early to the parking lots and to gates so that they can enjoy our pregame experience and our celebrations throughout the game that will honor the 50th anniversary of our Super Bowl IX team.”
Trump has had a contentious relationship with the NFL despite claiming to be a fan of football.
Trump has tried on numerous occasions to purchase NFL teams, including the Baltimore Colts in 1981, the New England Patriots in 1988, and the Buffalo Bills in 2014.
Trump successfully purchased the New Jersey Generals of the USFL in 1983 and was heavily involved in the league’s lawsuit against the NFL, testifying in court.
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Trump had also spoken out against player protests, saying team owners should fire players who kneel during the national anthem.
“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, you’d say, ‘Get that son of a b—- off the field right now. Out! He’s fired,” Trump said, per Maria Pasquini of People.
“For a week, [that owner would] be the most popular person in this country. Because that’s a total disrespect of our heritage. That’s a total disrespect for everything we stand for.”
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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement in support of the players.
“The NFL and our players are at our best when we help create a sense of unity in our country and our culture,” Goodell said. “There is no better example than the amazing response from our clubs and players to the terrible natural disasters we’ve experienced over the last month.”
“Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities.”
Another contentious moment between Trump and the NFL came when he disinvited the Philadelphia Eagles from visiting the White House after they won Super Bowl LII. A majority of the team had discussed skipping the White House ceremony because of Trump’s comments regarding the protests.
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