Former Army Ranger is Only Steelers Player to Stand For National Anthem – His Entire team hid

Former Army Ranger is Only Steelers Player to Stand For National Anthem – His Entire Team Hid in the Locker Room

September 24, 2017

The entire Pittsburgh Steelers team remained in the locker room during the national anthem, with the exception of one player: Army veteran Alejandro Villanueva, who plays offensive tackle for the Steelers.

While the rest of his teammates remained in the locker room, Villanueva stood in the tunnel holding his helmet in his left hand and holding his right hand over his heart as the anthem played.

Villaneuva played in college at West Point Military Academy before going on to become an Army Ranger. He served three tours in Afghanistan and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor.

He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014 before eventually joining the Steelers.

An NFL.com article earlier this year said that Villanueva first caught Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin’s eye “BECAUSE OF THE WAY HE STOOD DURING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.”*
*http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000822585/article/steelers-sign-alejandro-villanueva-to-4year-24m-deal