Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph is pushing back against critics after appearing on stage with President Donald Trump during a recent rally in Pennsylvania, saying he doesn’t regret the moment because, in his words, “speech is free.”
The rally, held last month at the U.S. Steel plant in Pennsylvania, drew national attention when Trump was joined on stage by several members of the Pittsburgh Steelers community.
Rudolph, along with current safety Miles Killebrew and team legend Rocky Bleier, stood beside the president as he delivered remarks focused on the region’s economic future.
The group presented Trump with a personalized Steelers jersey. Bleier, who played a pivotal role in the team’s four Super Bowl titles in the 1970s, called Trump both an “honorary Steeler” and a “Hall of Fame president.”
Mason Rudolph x Donald Trump
Yep this is the Steelers year
— PickensBurgh🫡 (@PickensBurgh) May 31, 2025
“How about this president of ours, huh? Just wanted to say God bless you, President Trump, and God bless you, Pittsburgh. Thank you,” Killebrew said during the event, speaking to the crowd gathered to hear Trump’s remarks.
Following the rally, Killebrew took to social media to echo his support for the president’s message on manufacturing and jobs.
“Excited for the Billions of dollars coming for the production of US Steel right here in Pennsylvania… Hard working Steel workers make me proud to be called a Steeler,” he wrote.
View this post on Instagram
He didn’t walk back any part of his participation in the event after some Steelers’ fans gave the team heat.
“I got the chance to meet the sitting U.S. president. I’m not apologetic about that,” he reportedly told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Rocky Bleier fought in Vietnam. He can do as he damn well pleases. The last time I checked, this was a free country. Rocky is a Legend. Trump is the President. The Steelers are the original “America’s Team” 🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/sYTf1LDO3V
— Jeff Simpson (@PastPresSimpson) June 4, 2025
“I’ll be able to sit down with my kids when they’re learning about the president and say: ‘Hey, dad met that guy.’ For anybody who thinks that’s a bad thing, to be honest, I couldn’t care less.”
The Steelers organization was soon inundated with emails and messages from fans who were displeased by the public appearance of team members at a political event. In response, the team issued a carefully worded letter acknowledging the reaction.
“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,” the team wrote in a letter shared by the Post-Gazette.
“We understand that a recent rally in Pittsburgh has generated a range of reactions from our fan base,” the team noted, adding, “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.”
The message concluded with an acknowledgment of the fans’ continued loyalty: “Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your passion and your continued support of the team.”
For his part, Rudolph didn’t shy away from the moment, using the public spotlight to clarify his stance on the matter days after the rally.
“There’s backlash on social media. That’s the nature of social media. It’s the nature of why America’s so great because everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and speech is free,” he said.
His attendance at the rally was warmly received by Trump, who used the opportunity to praise Rudolph’s potential in the NFL.
“I happen to think a really good quarterback is a man named Mason Rudolph,” Trump said during his remarks.
Trump introduces “tall and handsome” Mason Rudolph to the stage at his rally
— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) May 30, 2025
“I think he’s gonna get a big shot. He’s tall, he’s handsome, he’s got a great arm. And I have a feeling he’s gonna be the guy.”
Rudolph, who spent the early years of his career with the Steelers and recently returned to the team, was expected to start at quarterback heading into the offseason. However, that outlook shifted significantly this week.
Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers joined the Steelers on a one-year contract, a move that will become official after Rodgers passes his physical.
*Steelers sign Aaron Rodgers*
The rest of the NFL: pic.twitter.com/ehZcd3BHHa
— Sleeper (@SleeperHQ) June 5, 2025
The acquisition, while long rumored, ends months of speculation surrounding the 41-year-old’s next chapter in the NFL.
Rodgers’ free agency began over 80 days ago, and his connection to Pittsburgh grew stronger following a visit to the team’s facilities on March 21. Even with that visit, both parties took time before finalizing the deal.
During that window, the Steelers refrained from using a high draft pick on a quarterback, suggesting that Rudolph might take the reins.
Aaron Rodgers bout ruin another franchise after the Steelers signing pic.twitter.com/AUDeUK4JJl
— bossman (@thyonlybossman) June 5, 2025
Rodgers addressed his decision-making process during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show in April.
“I wasn’t stringing anyone along. I wasn’t holding anyone hostage,” he said. “I was honest from the jump about where I was at mentally and some of the constraints I have in my life right now that warrant my attention.”
He added, “I’m open to anything and attached to nothing. Retirement could still be a possibility, but right now my focus has been — and will continue to be — on my personal life. And that’s what I’ve told the coaches. There’s still conversations that are being had. It’s all been very honest lines of communication.”
Rodgers had been released by the New York Jets in March following a reportedly tense meeting with newly appointed head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey.