Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and former Steelers safety Will Allen received a warm reception at Acrisure Stadium, while Antonio Brown criticized Walz at a rally for Donald Trump a few days later. Both campaigns are trying to court and promote former Steelers players to boost their messaging and appeal to voters, with Harris receiving endorsements from iconic Steelers like “Mean” Joe Greene and Jerome Bettis, while Trump is supported by renegade players like Brown and Le’Veon Bell.
The Steelers are a cultural identity for western Pennsylvania and both campaigns are hoping to benefit from their association with the team. Trump attended a Steelers game and the Democratic National Committee put up billboards criticizing his economic record. Harris rolled out a list of endorsements from former Steelers, while Trump had support from Brown, Bell, and Mike Wallace at rallies.
Brown, known for his controversial behavior, has endorsed Trump and engaged with his campaign, despite his legal troubles in the past. Trump’s campaign sees Brown’s endorsement as a sign of changing attitudes towards being a Trump supporter, especially among celebrities. Voters don’t seem to be concerned about Brown’s support for Trump, and his endorsement is seen as bringing in nontraditional voters.
The difference between Trump and Harris’ Steelers backers lies in the depth of their ties to the Pittsburgh community. Harris’ supporters are long-time natives or individuals heavily involved in the region, while Trump’s endorsers like Brown and Bell lack those extensive connections. Ultimately, the mixing of football and politics in Pittsburgh is not new, with past Steelers players being politically active and aligning with different parties in various elections.
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