Ahead of their Sunday Night Football matchup against the New York Jets, the Pittsburgh Steelers issued a statement to fans in light of former President Donald Trump’s expected attendance. The team, coordinating with local authorities and the Secret Service to ensure heightened security measures, took steps to inform fans of the updated game-day protocols.
“With former President Trump expected to attend Sunday night’s game as a guest of an individual suite holder, we are working with Secret Service and local authorities to ensure the safety and security of all our fans,” the Steelers’ statement read. The team reassured supporters that they would work to maintain the typical fan experience. “As always, we will work to make the fan experience the same as it always is for every Steelers’ home game at Acrisure Stadium.”
Fans attending the game were encouraged to arrive early to accommodate potential delays due to increased security. The Steelers also reminded everyone of a special event planned for the night: the team would be celebrating the 50th anniversary of their Super Bowl IX victory, adding to the evening’s festivities.
Trump’s appearance is part of his current effort to engage with voters in Pennsylvania, a key swing state that played a pivotal role in his 2016 election win but flipped to Joe Biden in 2020. On Saturday, Trump made a public appearance in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where he was joined by former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown.
The ex-NFL star, who has publicly endorsed Trump in recent months, appeared alongside fellow former Steeler Le’Veon Bell to rally support for the former president.
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Brown, who left the Steelers in 2018 after being traded to the Raiders, teased his appearance at the rally on social media earlier in the week. His arrival with Bell at the event stirred excitement among Trump’s supporters, with the two football stars taking selfies and mingling with fans ahead of the rally.
Brown’s support of Trump has been widely publicized in recent months. Earlier this year, the former wideout shared on social media his admiration for Trump’s business acumen and the impact he believed the former president had on his friends in the music industry. Brown’s outspokenness has kept him in the headlines even after his NFL career ended, particularly due to controversial social media posts and his ongoing feud with former teammates, including Tom Brady.
Recently, Brown has also drawn attention for his remarks about pop star Taylor Swift and her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Brown posted provocative comments online, including an AI-generated image featuring himself and Swift, which sparked reactions from her dedicated fan base, known as “Swifties.”
Despite his sometimes contentious presence on social media, Brown remains a vocal supporter of Trump, participating in rallies and continuing to endorse the former president as he campaigns for a potential return to the White House. Trump’s appearance at the Steelers-Jets game is just the latest in his efforts to connect with voters in battleground states, while figures like Brown and Bell use their platforms to engage with fans and bolster Trump’s campaign.
As for the Steelers, they remain focused on both the game and ensuring a smooth experience for fans attending Sunday night’s contest, which promises to be a memorable occasion both on and off the field.
