Helmets worn this season by the Pittsburgh Steelers will bear the name of Antwon Rose II.
Rose was 17 when he died after being shot by an East Pittsburgh police officer in June 2018. The officer, Michael Rosfeld, stopped a Chevy Cruze matching the description of a vehicle reportedly involved in a drive-by shooting. Rose was shot in the back as he and another teen fled. A jury acquitted Rosfeld the following spring after a four-day trial.
We don’t want him to be forgotten.
For the 2020 season, we unite as one and will wear a single name on the back of our helmets – Antwon Rose Jr.https://t.co/Li8ovGgKa7
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 14, 2020
In response to nationwide protests and unrest after multiple incidents this summer involving African Americans suffering harm or death after interactions with police, the NFL announced it is allowing individual players to wear the names of victims of police brutality on their helmets this season.
The organization made the announcement of the choice of Rose on its official website. That story, posted Monday morning, read “Steelers players and coaches united as one to wear a single name on the back of their helmets and hats for the entire 2020 season – Antwon Rose Jr.”
However, left tackle Alejandro Villanueva’s helmet was adorned by the name of late Army sergeant Alwyn Cashe. According to the Military Times, Cashe died at 35 in 2005 when an improvised explosive devise detonated near his vehicle in Samarra, Iraq. Cashe suffered second- and third-degree burns over more than 70% of his body when he ran back into the vehicle in attempt to rescue other soldiers who were trapped inside.
Steelers coaches and players have been consistent over the past three months in saying that any protest or demonstration they do this season will be done in a unified manner. Villanueva is a former Army Ranger who was awarded the Bronze Star for valor. He was the only known Steelers player spotted with a name other than Rose’s on his helmet.
Dozens of people gathered in East Pittsburgh to honor the life of Antwon Rose II, who was killed 2 years ago. Michelle Kenney, Rose's mother, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Pennsylvania Rep. Ed Gainey were among those joining in.https://t.co/fzBVZJNLTy
— TribLIVE.com (@TribLIVE) June 19, 2020
The decals applied to the bottom of the back of the helmets of dozens of other Steelers players on Monday featured “Antown Rose Jr.” in all-capital, black letteringon a white background.
“When you think about Antwon Rose’s story, we don’t want to ever let his legacy go away,” Steelers defensive captain Cameron Heyward told Steelers.com. “That kid had a bright future, and he was taken away too early. We see all of these things happening across our country now. This hit home.”
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin last week phoned Rose’s mother, Michele Kenney, to inform her of the gesture.
“I realize at the end of the day, Antwon is gone,” Kenney told Steelers.com. “But the Steelers are taking a stand. They are trying to make change and they want to be involved. That means more to me than anything.”
The Steelers open their season 7:10 p.m. Monday at the New York Giants. The Steelers joined several other teams and individual players over the course of the NFL’s opening weekend who displayed various signals of protest or remembrance out of respect for social injustice or racism. Tomlin has emphasized that players have the organization’s support in making any statements “as long as it is done so thoughtfully and with class.”
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