The mother of Antwon Rose Jr. lashed out at Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Alejandro Villanueva on Tuesday night for not putting her son’s name on the back of his helmet for the team’s season opener.
In a Facebook post, Michelle Kenney took major issue with Villanueva for not adhering to the Steelers’ decision to universally honor Rose for their nationally televised game Monday night against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers took a team vote. Obviously, one person didn’t like the results, so they chose to do something different,” Kenney wrote.
“I have nothing against vets and absolutely appreciate everything that they have done and continue to do for us. But this one person showed us exactly who he is and obviously he didn’t approve of how the vote turned out.”
While the Steelers players agreed to support Rose, who died after being shot by an East Pittsburgh police officer in June 2018, Villanueva decided he would cover it up and honor Alwyn Cashe, a former Army sergeant who was killed while on active duty in Iraq.
“In my opinion; that’s for his coach, team and organization to address NOT ME! While he was so busy being negative what it actually did now forced more people to engage in this conversation. I’m going to use this negative press and negativity to motivate me to hold the Pittsburgh Steelers even more accountable!!! Yes I believe in second chances but as we all know I believe in putting in the work and that’s how I base my collaborations. They came to me as a team/organization and I don’t care how good of an individual you are; if you are not a TEAM player then maybe you are playing for the wrong team!!! You can’t stop nothing god put in motion and I’m here for the long haul. Touchdown baby!!”
Villanueva, a former Army Ranger, served two tours in Afghanistan. Cashe died in 2005 at age 35 when an explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Cashe was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for valor in combat.
