Several current and former members of the Pittsburgh Steelers, including quarterback Mason Rudolph, safety Miles Killebrew, and former running back Rocky Bleier, reportedly attended a political rally hosted by President Donald Trump in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. During this event, the players presented President Trump with a Steelers No. 47 jersey, an act that elicited a range of responses from the team's supporters.

In response to the players' attendance and the subsequent feedback from some fans who emailed their complaints, the Pittsburgh Steelers organization issued a statement. The team clarified that while it values fan opinions, the personal decisions and views of its current and former players do not necessarily reflect the official stance of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization.

Burt Lauten, a spokesperson for the team, confirmed to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that an email addressing the situation was sent to concerned fans. The email reportedly stated: “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.”

Mason Rudolph, who is currently the Steelers' top quarterback, addressed his participation in the rally and the ensuing backlash. He emphasized the principle of freedom of speech, stating, “There’s backlash every day. You look on social media, there’s constant ... that’s the nature of social media. That’s why America is so great. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Speech is free. Par for the course.”

Safety Miles Killebrew shared his personal motivation for attending, mentioning that meeting a sitting U.S. president had been a childhood dream, and it was an experience he wanted to be able to recount to his children. This event and the discussions surrounding it occurred with the background knowledge that the Rooney family, owners of the Steelers, have historically supported Democratic politicians, including former President Barack Obama.