Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Maurkice Pouncey will make his 'own decision' on helmet decals

Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey announced that he would make his own choice on what to wear on the back of his helmet during games after joining teammates by honoring Antwon Rose Jr. in Week 1.

"I was given limited information on the situation regarding Antwon, and I was unaware of the whole story surrounding his death and what transpired during the trial following the tragedy. I should have done more research to fully understand what occurred in its entirety," Pouncey wrote.

Pouncey spoke about his work with police, saying that his lack of research resulted in him accidentally supporting a cause he did not actually believe in. Rose was a black 17-year-old who was shot and killed by Pittsburgh police in 2015. Michael Rosfeld, who fatally shot Rose, was charged with criminal homicide but was later acquitted on all charges.

"Moving forward, I will make my own decision about what to wear on the back of my helmet. Make no mistake, I am against racism and I believe the best thing I can do is to continue helping repair relationships between the police and their communities."

This is not the first helmet controversy the Steelers have faced this season. Fellow offensive lineman Alejandro Villanueva reportedly upset teammates by wearing the name Alwyn Cashe, a Black soldier who was killed in Iraq, instead of joining the team by wearing Rose's name. According to sources, the main issue seems to be that he did not inform teammates beforehand, so many were surprised.

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