Big Ben: Steelers weren't trying to disrespect the troops
Ben Roethlisberger addressed the Steelers' decision to not take the field for the National Anthem.
Bryan DeArdo - 17 minutes ago 1
Ben Roethlisberger addressed the Steelers' decision to not take the field for the National Anthem on Sunday while making it clear that he and his teammates were not trying to upset anyone associated with the nation's military.
"By no means, no way, shape or form, was there any disrespect intended for our troops and people that serve this country," Roethlisberger said following Pittsburgh's 23-17 loss to the Bears. "We all have the upmost respect for them, obviously. They give us the freedom to play this game."
Roethlisberger was asked how the team came about coming to that decision.
"Last night, obviously with all the issues going on, if you will, we had a players’ only meeting after the team meeting last night to discuss what we were going go to do," he said. "We knew some guys wanted to take a knee, some guys wanted to stand. We said whatever we do, we need to make sure we stay unified as one group, because that’s what we’re about and that’s what we should be about, being together and staying together one unit, one brotherhood.
"So instead of having some guys kneel and some guys stand, the conclusion was made by everybody to stay in the locker room, stay in the tunnel, if you will, and show our respect that way."
Big Ben was also asked if anyone took offense to Alejandro Villanueva -- a military veteran -- and his decision to take the field to stand for the National Anthem.
"No."
Lastly, Roethlisberger was asked if Saturday night's players' only meeting took some of the focus away from the team's preparation for Sunday's game in Chicago.
"Probably by lying if I said no a little bit. Obviously a lot going on in the state of the NFL," Roethlisberger said. "We can’t make excuses. I need to play better football."