Steelers' Artie Burns compares NFL anthem policy to 'bullying'

Steelers cornerback Artie Burns trashed the NFL's new national anthem policy Thursday, comparing it to bullying.

“I feel like it's another topic to get everybody against each other,” Burns said after voluntary spring practice. “I hate that we have to go down this route, but it is what it is.”

On Wednesday, NFL owners agreed to a policy in which players on the field must stand for the national anthem. Players have the option of remaining in the locker room until after the anthem is played, but Burns said that part of the policy is flawed.

“It makes you look bad,” he said. “The whole team is out there (standing) and you come jogging out, (and people are) like, ‘Oh, he's the guy that's (protesting). Who wants to go through that? That's humiliating to us as a person.

“We are trying to stand for something, but you single us out in front of everybody? You talk about bullying, that's bullying.”

Under the policy, teams are subject to fines if players don't stand for the anthem. Teams, however, have the discretion to punish players for not obeying the new guidelines, which were reached at the NFL spring meeting in Atlanta.

Burns doesn't think owners should be fined.

“You're singling out your owner, you're singling out people in the building,” he said. “It's still pitting one person against each other. We're all in this (stuff) together. It makes me mad.”

The Steelers were one of several teams that took a stand in Week 3 last season to protest President Donald Trump's criticism of players who kneel or sit during the anthem. The players, in an attempt to show unity, stood in the tunnel that leads to the field while the “Star Spangled Banner” was played.

But left tackle Alejandro Villanueva, a former Army Ranger who served in Afghanistan, left the tunnel to get a view of the American flag. He was alone outside the tunnel when the song was performed.

After being criticized for their stance, Steelers players stood on the sideline during the playing of the anthem for the rest of the season.

Villanueva declined to talk to reporters Thursday. As he walked off the practice field, Villanueva said he didn't want to be part of any “clickbait.”

Trump declared victory over the players Thursday morning in an interview that aired on Fox.

“I don't think people should be staying in the locker rooms, but still I think it's good,” Trump said “You have to stand proudly for the national anthem or you shouldn't be playing, you shouldn't be there. Maybe you shouldn't be in the country.”

For his part, Burns said he will abide by the NFL policy even if he doesn't like it.

“I'm going to be out there standing up,” he said. “That's their issue, not my issue.”

Steelers players have not met collectively to discuss the policy, which won't come into play until preseason games begin in August.

“It's not going to affect my Sunday schedule, so I'll be out there doing whatever they ask us to do,” tight end Jesse James said. “I'm a football player, not a politician or anything. I'm here to play football.”

Joe Rutter is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at jrutter@tribweb.com or via Twitter @tribjoerutter.