The presence of at least two current players and one high-profile former player at a rally staged by President Donald Trump last week irked some Pittsburgh Steelers fans. The organization replied to many of those who’d expressed anger via email.

A message was sent by the team, apparently to any individual who had sent an email regarding Steelers personnel who joined Trump as he spoke at U.S. Steel’s Irvin Works in West Mifflin on Friday.

At the event, current Steelers Mason Rudolph and Miles Killebrew and four-time Super Bowl-winning former Steelers running back Rocky Bleier presented Trump with a Steelers jersey with his name and No. 47, representing that Trump is the 47th president.

The Steelers gifted the president a personalized jersey and said he was an honorary team member @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/8AfZutffXe

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) May 30, 2025

Read the email, which was obtained by TribLive: “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.”

Trump was in the area in the wake of giving his approval for Nippon Steel of Japan to take over Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel. Bleier, Rudolph and Killebrew each gave brief remarks after being introduced by Trump, with Bleier presenting the jersey to Trump.

Full text of the Steelers’ email:

“We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us. As valued fans, your voice is an essential part of what makes our Steelers community and fan base so strong.

We understand that a recent rally in Pittsburgh has generated a range of reactions from our fan base. 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.

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your passion and your continued support of the team.”

Steelers president Art Rooney II, the third-generation controlling owner of the team, donated to the campaign of Democrat Kamala Harris last year (according to widespread reports citing campaign contribution records). Harris lost to Trump of the GOP in the November election in large part because Pennsylvania swung for Trump.

Rooney’s late father, Dan, served as Ambassador to Ireland for more than three years under the administration of Democratic president Barack Obama.

The Steelers embark on their second week of organized team activities Tuesday at their UPMC Rooney Sports Complex headquarters.

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