Steelers’ Alejandro Villanueva happy for recognition for fallen soldier, downplays his role in it

Chris Adamski
Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 10:36 a.m. | Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 10:36 a.m.

This undated image provided by the U.S. Army, shows Alwyn C. Cashe. Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Alejandro Villanueva honored Cashe this season by affixing his name to the back of his helmet. It was an effort to allow for posthumous recognition for the actions of Cashe, who died from burns suffered while trying to save fellow soldiers from a bombed and burning vehicle.

Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Alejandro Villanueva with the name “Alwyn Cashe” on the back of his helmet during a game at Heinz Field this season.

Alejandro Villanueva is gratified the path has been cleared for proper recognition for fallen Army sergeant Alwyn Cashe, even if Villanueva is content to downplay a role he might have played in it.

Villanueva spoke publicly Friday for the first time since a bill was signed Dec. 5 that allows for the posthumous awarding of a Medal of Honor to soldiers such as Cashe, whose name Villanueva has worn on the back of his helmet this season. Villanueva, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting left tackle, is a former Army Ranger who has been vocal about issues affecting the military.

“I think it’s been a really cool moment of recognition for Sergeant First Class Cashe,” Villanueva said during a video conference call, “but it has nothing to do with me. It’s got a lot to do with him and what he did.”

Cashe died in 2005 at age 35 from injuries incurred in Iraq while attempting to save fellow soldiers from a burning vehicle hit by an explosive device. As described in the Military Times, Cashe’s repeated rescue attempts resulted in second- and third-degree burns over 75% of his body.

Cashe posthumously was awarded the Silver Star for valor, but a movement among politicians and military groups pushed to recognize Cashe with the more prestigious Medal of Honor. An act of Congress, though, was necessary to waive an expired statute of limitations.

President Trump on Dec. 4 signed such a bill into law. The bill was introduced by U.S. Reps. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., Michael Waltz, R-Fla., and Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, two days after Villanueva first affixed Cashe’s name to the back of his helmet for a “Monday Night Football” game that had a television audience of 10.8 million.

Steelers LT Alejandro Villanueva has the name Alwyn Cashe on the back of his helmet

Cashe was posthumousky awarded the Silver Star for heroism after his death at 35 while on duty in Iraqhttps://t.co/a4Pbp3UERU had said ALL players' helmets would have Antwon Rose Jr's name pic.twitter.com/UMqbxVo6mj

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 14, 2020

Villanueva said he has spoken to members of Cashe’s family and to two of the legislators who introduced the bill.

“I think it’s cool when these things get rectified, and a person gets what he deserves,” Villanueva said.

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.

Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.