When Donald Trump originally ran for president in 2016, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made it clear where he stood. Tomlin may be focused on winning his second Super Bowl as a head coach, but it does not mean he stays out of politics.
Football coaches often get political.
Tomlin is hardly the only head coach who has gotten involved in politics. Tommy Tuberville, a former college football coach, was elected to the Alabama Senate after leaving Cincinnati. Bill Belichick, one of the NFL’s finest coaches, sent a letter to Donald Trump during the 2016 election. It stands to reason that one of Belichick’s most fierce opponents on the football field would also be a political competitor.
Mike Tomlin has given to democratic candidates.
According to a CBS Sports piece by John Breech from 2016, Mike and his wife Kiya have made significant gifts to Democratic Party candidates. The Tomlins donated $70,000 to Obama’s Victory Fund in 2012. Mike held a luncheon for Hillary Clinton in 2016.
In fact, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is slated to host a luncheon on Tuesday to raise funds for projected Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton.
TribLIVE.com got an event invitation, which stated that seats to the event would cost between $10,000 and $33,400. The more expensive ticket includes a meeting with Clinton and Tomlin.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ coaching staff has worn political clothes.
Tomlin has taken his political advocacy to the football field. As Allison Koehler of Steelers Wire wrote in 2023, Tomlin and his staff made a bold choice last year with his choice of sideline clothing:
Tomlin’s choice of sideline attire—a version also worn by his staff—spoke louder than his team’s performance. Instead of his normal toned-down single Steelers logo shirt and team jacket, Tomlin wore a Steelers-branded long-sleeve shirt with the words “Justice, opportunity, freedom, equality, NFL.”
The 2024 regular season will take place during a fiercely fought presidential election. Trump, a convicted felon, will face President Joe Biden. One wonders if Tomlin will express his thoughts on the race during a season in which he may be on the hot seat.
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