Sports
Steelers' Villanueva Donates Jersey Proceeds To Military Groups
Organizations such as the USO will benefit from the huge spike in the sale of Villanueva apparel.
PITTSBURGH, PA - Military groups will benefit from the skyrocketing sales of Steelers offensive lineman Alejandro Villanueva apparel after he was the only Steeler on the field for the national anthem at Sunday’s game in Chicago.
According to ESPN, Villanueva has donated all money from the sale of his jersey and T-shirts to military nonprofits since he entered the league.
Villanueva received national accolades for being the lone Steeler to emerge from the Solider Field tunnel for the national anthem. The next day he apologetically asserted that he had thrown his teammates under the bus, although Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday said he had no reason to apologize.
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Steelers’ Alejandro Villanueva is donating all proceeds on his jersey/apparel sales to USO and other military non-profits, as he always has.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 27, 2017
Sales of Villanueva apparel have gone through the roof since the incident. Fanatics, which runs the NFL’s online sales, confirmed to ESPN that more Villanueva merchandise has been ordered since Sunday than any other player. Villanueva knocked New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady out of the top merchandising slot.
The Steelers have received tremendous criticism for skipping the anthem. Team president Art Rooney II issued a letter to fans on Tuesday saying the players did not intend to offend anyone with their action.
Find out what's happening in Pittsburghfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Watch: Steelers Player 'Embarrassed' After Standing Alone For National Anthem
Photo:Jeffrey Beall via Creative Commons.
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