Four days after the President of the United States called him “tall” and “handsome” and predicted he would win the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback job, Mason Rudolph had some good things to say about Donald Trump announcing a partnership between Nippon Steel and Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel.
“It’s going to help create jobs,” Rudolph said after an organized team activities session Tuesday, “and bolster the Pittsburgh economy.”
Rudolph called his presence at a rally this past Friday at U.S. Steel Irvin Works a “fun experience.” And the veteran quarterback brushed off feelings from some in the Steelers’ fanbase who are upset that he, teammate Miles Killebrew and franchise legend Rocky Bleier represented the Steelers in a tacit endorsement of Trump.
Led by Bleier, the trio presented Trump with a No. 47 Steelers jersey with his name on it. The number represents Trump’s status as serving the 47th U.S. presidential term.
“There’s backlash every day you look on social media. There’s constant (reaction),” Rudolph told reporters after Tuesday’s practice-like session at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “That’s the nature of social media, and it’s the nature of why America’s so great because everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And speech is free, so (feedback is) par for the course.”
The Steelers received some negative feedback from the appearance of the players and former player alongside Trump, responding to emails with a message that in part read, “Our alumni and current players make their own individual decisions that reflect their views, and they do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization.”
At the rally in West Mifflin last week that celebrated Japan-owned Nippon’s $14.9 billion purchase and additional $14 billion pledged investment in the company — a deal Trump said he helped broker — the president briefly introduced Rudolph, Bleier and Killebrew.
Rocky Bleier presented President Donald Trump with an honorary Steelers jersey with No. 47 on it — a nod to him being the 47th president in this term. “I have the honor of making you an honorary Steeler,” Bleier said.https://t.co/nJLBc4zb6b
— TribLIVE.com (@TribLIVE) May 30, 2025
Bleier is a popular figure not only because of his presence on the Steelers’ four Super Bowl-winning teams of the 1970s but also because of his story that included leaving the team after being drafted into Army duty in Vietnam. Bleier survived being hit by a bullet in his left thigh and shrapnel wounds to his right foot from a grenade, ultimately returning to play in the NFL.
Killebrew is the Steelers’ special teams captain, and Rudolph is back for a seventh season with the Steelers after one year with the Tennessee Titans. While the Steelers await to see if 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers signs with them, Rudolph has been getting first-team reps in OTAs.
Trump on Friday predicted Rudolph would “get a great shot” to start this season.
“He’s tall, he’s handsome, got a great arm,” Trump said, “and I have a feeling he’s going to be ‘the guy.’ ”
At the rally, Rudolph largely kept his remarks free of Trump references.
“I’m honored to be here with a great Steelers legend like Rocky Bleier,” Rudolph said to the crowd of hundreds, “somebody who fought for our country in Vietnam, came back and played some great football for the black and gold.
“Awesome to be a part of this big investment in Pittsburgh. Go Steelers!”
