The Steelers as a team set a new precedent by choosing to stay in the locker room during the performance of the National Anthem. There was already one man who decided to step out of line when Alejandro Villanueva left the locker room to stand alone in the tunnel (Villanueva is a veteran who served three tours of duty in Afghanistan). Well, now it seems Ben Roethlisberger is questioning his own decision to protest.
Steelers Quarterback Ben Roehtlisberger released a statement today on his personal website where he questioned whether or not it was the right decision to have stayed in the locker room during the anthem.
Roethlisberger lamented in his statement, “I was unable to sleep last night and want to share my thoughts and feelings on our team’s decision to remain in the tunnel for the national anthem yesterday. The idea was to be unified as a team when so much attention is paid to things dividing our country, but I wish we approached it differently. We did not want to appear divided on the sideline with some standing and some kneeling or sitting.”
Roethlisberger also claimed that it was not a protest of the United States flag or the National Anthem.