After Donald Trump's explosive "sons of bitches" comments about players protesting the national anthem, all but one Pittsburgh Steeler remained in the tunnel ahead of their game on Sunday.
That led to a flurry of fiery responses including fans burning jerseys and venting on social media. Maybe the worst came from the chief of the Cecil Volunteer Fire Station #2, per CBS Pittsburgh:
Fire chief "embarrassed," "regrets" using racial slur against @steelers coach Mike Tomlin. @LisaWashing's report: https://t.co/3WzZhka7JP pic.twitter.com/AA8PQXkh1P
— KDKA (@CBSPittsburgh) September 26, 2017
Here's how he responded after the comments went viral:
"I am embarrassed at this. I want to apologize. I was frustrated and angry at the Steelers not standing the anthem. This had nothing to do with my Fire Department. I regret what I said."
"My fire department should have never been dragged into this. It was a bad judgement by me, for which I am very embarrassed, for them and my township."
The Cecil Township Board of Supervisors issued a statement suggesting contacting the president of the Muse Fire Department regarding any further comment or action.
Just one member of the Steelers made it out of the tunnel for the anthem:
@EdwerderRFA @Eric_Edholm Powerful demonstration from one Steelers player and Veteran. pic.twitter.com/WWWqXPt3Px
— Charlie Don't Surf! (@shawnpgresham) September 24, 2017
Steelers fans lashed out by burning jerseys following the decision:
Other teams around the league also participated in a form of protest like the rest of the Steelers. Several New England Patriots took a knee for the anthem, while players for both the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons locked arms during the anthem for their game.
The Bears, Patriots, Texans, and Lions sidelines during the national anthem pic.twitter.com/Y74ARlguTU
— SB Nation (@SBNation) September 24, 2017
This comes after President Trump's controversial comments on the anthem protests that NFL owners should respond to the player protests with the phrase "get that son of a bitch off the field."
... trump taking a veiled shot at colin kaepernick, says owner should say: "get that sonofabitch off the field right now... he's fired!!" pic.twitter.com/ttbOd0VrPG
— fake nick ramsey (@nick_ramsey) September 23, 2017
"Wouldn't you love one of these NFL owners... when someone disrespects our flag say, "Get that son of a bitch off the field, right now, out, he's fired."
The President has not been shy with his comments, as he doubled down on Saturday amid another battle he waged with the NBA's Golden State Warriors and former MVP Steph Curry.
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