PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers center and offensive captain Maurkice Pouncey chose the name of fallen police officer Eric Kelly to wear on the back of his helmet Sunday in the team’s win over the Denver Broncos.
According to our partners at TribLive.com, Pouncey indicated earlier in the week that he would reconsider honoring Antwon Rose Jr. on his helmet.
Maurkice Pouncey honors Eric Kelly on the back of his helmet for Steelers' game Sunday against Denver Broncos. https://t.co/7vES6tJquR
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) September 20, 2020
Kelly was one of three Pittsburgh police officers killed in April 2009 in Stanton Heights. He was already done with his shift that day when he responded to the home to help rescue Officers Stephen Mayle and Paul Sciullo who had already been shot. The shooter remains on Pennsylvania’s death row after he was sentenced to death in 2011.
Pouncey wasn’t the only player to change the name or message on the back of their helmets. Running back Benny Snell Jr. had the name Breonna Taylor on his. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt and wide receiver James Washington did not have any name. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had the phrase “It Takes All of Us” written on the back. Cameron Heyward, James Conner and Diontae Johnson each had a sticker with the phrase “End Racism.”
The Steelers beat the Broncos 26-21 at Heinz Field, securing the victory late in the fourth quarter after a Terrell Edmunds sack and a 59-yard run by James Conner.
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