The Poynter Institute Menu Donate State Editions * California * Florida * Iowa * Michigan * New Hampshire * New York * North Carolina * Pennsylvania * Texas * West Virginia * Wisconsin Issues * All Issues * Online hoaxes * Coronavirus * Health Care * Immigration * Extremism * Taxes * Marijuana * Environment * Crime * Guns * Foreign Policy * LGBTQ+ People * Joe Biden * Kamala Harris * Donald Trump * Mitch McConnell * Hakeem Jeffries * Ron DeSantis Media * PunditFact * Tucker Carlson * Sean Hannity * Rachel Maddow * Bloggers * PolitiFact Videos Campaigns * 2024 Elections Truth-o-Meter * True * Mostly True * Half True * Mostly False * False * Pants on Fire Promises * Biden Promise Tracker * Trump-O-Meter * Obameter * Latest Promises About Us * Our Process * Our Staff * En Español * Who pays for PolitiFact? * Advertise with Us * Suggest a Fact-check * Corrections and Updates * Newsletters Donate #### Follow us The Facts Newsletter Sign up English Español ### Stand up for the facts! Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy. We need your help. More Info ### I would like to contribute One Time Monthly Yearly Join Now ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") TheLastLineOfDefense.org stated on September 24, 2017 in a headline: \"NFL fines Pittsburgh Steelers $1 million each for skipping national anthem.\" ![\\"true\\"](\\" ![\\"pants- fire\\"](\\" * Fake news * PunditFact * TheLastLineOfDefense.org ![\\"The](\\" The Pittsburgh Steelers took the field in Chicago on Sept. 24, 2017, after the end of the national anthem. (AP photo) ![\\"Joshua](\\" By Joshua Gillin September 25, 2017 # NFL’s Goodell didn\'t say he would fine Steelers players $1 million each for skipping national anthem A fake news story that said players for Pittsburgh’s NFL team were being fined seven figures for remaining in the locker room during the Star-Spangled Banner is the work of a self-described liberal troll looking to fool conservatives. A story posted Sept. 24, 2017, on TheLastLineOfDefense.org ran with the headline, \"Breaking: NFL fines Pittsburgh Steelers $1m each for skipping national anthem.\" Facebook users flagged the post as being potentially bogus, as part of the social network’s efforts to cut down on fake news. The post noted that \"everyone fell in line\" with President Donald Trump’s Twitter demand that NFL players \"stop disrespecting our Flag & Country\" by kneeling during the national anthem to protest racism in America. The website ran an excerpt from a real ABC News story about the Steelers largely electing to not leave the locker room during the song during their Sept. 24 game against the Chicago Bears. More than 200 players across the league chose not to stand to show their opposition to Trump’s criticism. Then the post said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell \"announced shortly after the game began that every player who ‘protested’ the National Anthem and showed ‘immense disrespect to our nation’ would be fined a cool million dollars.\" That isn’t the case, because the article is fake. The same story was reported in posts on many other websites, many without attribution to TheLastLineOfDefense.org. That’s important to note, because TheLastLineOfDefense.org runs only fabricated stories. #### Featured Fact-check ![](\\" Instagram_logo_2016.svg/322c808c00e73c217d17772ddd5a0eb5.jpg\\") ![](\\" Instagram_logo_2016.svg/8b142c91ebe468a84a192e6df2b7b994.jpg\\") Instagram posts stated on August 16, 2024 in an Instagram post The World Health Organization ordered governments to prepare for “mega lockdown” because of an mpox strain. ![\\"true\\"](\\" false/33efdb6633e5e2fdc2d4e2f63383a1e0.jpg.\\") ![\\"false\\"](\\" false.jpg\\") By Sofia Ahmed • August 20, 2024 A footer note on the bottom of the page said \"everything on this site is a satirical work of fiction.\" The site’s \"about us\" page included a disclaimer that read, \"We present fiction as fact and our sources don’t actually exist.\" TheLastLineOfDefense.org is the source of dozens upon dozens of fake news stories. The website is the brainchild of a man named Christopher Blair, who has told PolitiFact he writes absurd claims strictly to trick conservative readers into believing wild stories. In this case, the website attempted to trick readers into thinking the NFL was punishing the Steelers for refusing to come onto the field for the Star- Spangled Banner. Former Army Ranger Alejandro Villanueva, who served for three tours in Afghanistan, was the only Steelers player to leave the locker room to stand for the anthem. The Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks, who played each other in Nashville, also refused to come to the sidelines for the song. It’s not clear who wrote the Goodell story, as the author is only identified as \"Freedom.\" The author replied to an email we sent but would not provide their real name. In reality, Goodell didn’t fine any team or player, and told Sports Illustrated he supported the teams and players. \"The way we reacted today, and this weekend, made me proud,\" Goodell said. \"I’m proud of our league.\" TheLastLineOfDefense.org was looking to troll readers with a fake news story. We rate this claim Pants On Fire! Share the Facts 2017-09-25 19:50:42 UTC PolitiFact ![\\"PolitiFact\\"](\\" logo-big.jpg\\"/) 1 1 7 ![\\"PolitiFact](\\" pof.png\\") PolitiFact Rating: Pants on Fire steelers-1m-each-for-skipping-national-anthem/ \"NFL fines Pittsburgh Steelers $1 million each for skipping national anthem.\" TheLastLineOfDefense.org website ![](\\" independentgroup__________________3.jpg\\") in a headline Sunday, September 24, 2017 2017-09-24 Read More info #### Read About Our Process The Principles of the Truth-O-Meter ### Our Sources TheLastLineOfDefense.org, \"BREAKING: NFL Fines Pittsburgh Steelers $1m Each For Skipping National Anthem,\" Sept. 24, 2017 PolitiFact, \"If you\'re fooled by fake news, this man probably wrote it,\" May 31, 2017 Donald Trump, tweet, Sept. 24, 2017 ABC News, \"NFL teams respond to Trump with nonparticipation, kneeling in protest,\" Sept. 24, 2017 Associated Press, \"The Latest: More than 200 NFL players don\'t stand for anthem,\" Sept. 24, 2017 Sports Illustrated, \"Monday Morning QB: Response to President Trump Made Roger Goodell ‘Proud of Our League’,\" Sept. 25, 2017 ESPN, \"Alejandro Villanueva appearance surprised Steelers during anthem,\" Sept. 25, 2017 ## Browse the Truth-O-Meter ### More by Joshua Gillin slide 4 to 6 of 15 ![](\\" ![](\\" Viral image stated on October 9, 2017 in Internet posts: A viral image shows LeBron James wearing a T-shirt that reads, \"We march, y’all mad. We sit down, y’all mad. We speak up, y’all mad. We die, y’all silent.\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Joshua Gillin • October 12, 2017 ![](\\" ![](\\" Bloggers stated on October 9, 2017 in a headline: \"President Trump signs executive order stripping NFL of ‘non-profit’ status.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • October 10, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") AsAmericanAsApplePie.org stated on October 8, 2017 in a headline: \"Jason Aldean gig canceled after he sells out to liberals on ‘SNL’.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • October 10, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") FreedomJunkshun.com stated on November 6, 2017 in a headline: \"Supreme Court issues its first bench warrant ever.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Susan Areson • November 9, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") React365.com stated on November 7, 2017 in an Internet post: Says the University of Florida \"requests to cancel rivalry game\" against Florida State University. ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • November 7, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") YourNewsWire.com stated on November 5, 2017 in an Internet post: \"Texas Church shooter was Antifa and wanted to start (a) ‘communist revolution.’ \" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • November 6, 2017 ![](\\" ![](\\" Sebastian Gorka stated on November 1, 2017 in an appearance on \'Hannity\': Says Jake Tapper said Allahu Akbar was a \"beautiful phrase\" after a terrorist attack in New York. ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • November 2, 2017 ![](\\" ![](\\" Bloggers stated on October 6, 2017 in Internet posts: \"California Democrat Maxine Waters charged on 3 counts.\" ![\\"barely-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"barely-true\\"](\\" barely-true.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • November 2, 2017 ![](\\" ![](\\" Bloggers stated on October 29, 2017 in Internet posts: Says actor Morgan Freeman said, \"Jailing Hillary\" is the best way to \"restore public faith in government.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • November 1, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") FreedomJunkshun.com stated on October 28, 2017 in a headline: \"Hillary Clinton leaves the country as Mueller indictment is announced.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • October 31, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") FreedomJunkshun.com stated on October 27, 2017 in a headline: \"Breitbart leaks names of four Dems being charged in Mueller’s Russia probe.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • October 31, 2017 ![](\\" michaelmoore/d10e6fe97230119369c8f19eb11ae6a3.jpg\\") ![](\\" michaelmoore/24d3cd2ad61b2369eb03420edf082419.jpg\\") Michael Moore stated on October 4, 2017 in a Facebook post: \"People who die from a home invasion make up a sad but minuscule .04% of all gun murders in the U.S. And over a third of them are killed by their own gun that the criminal has either stolen or wrestled from them.\" ![\\"barely-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"barely-true\\"](\\" barely-true.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • October 25, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") React365.com stated on October 23, 2017 in a headline: \"Tulsa school closes after brutal fire.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • October 23, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") AsAmericanAsApplePie.org stated on October 16, 2017 in a headline: \"Hillary (Clinton) caught on tape laughing about (Hurricane) Irma ‘wiping out all of those Florida hillbillies’.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • October 18, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") AsAmericanAsApplePie.org stated on October 15, 2017 in a headline: \"San Juan city council votes unanimously to impeach Trump-hating mayor.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • October 17, 2017 ![](\\" ![](\\" Viral image stated on October 9, 2017 in Internet posts: A viral image shows LeBron James wearing a T-shirt that reads, \"We march, y’all mad. We sit down, y’all mad. We speak up, y’all mad. We die, y’all silent.\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Joshua Gillin • October 12, 2017 ![](\\" ![](\\" Bloggers stated on October 9, 2017 in a headline: \"President Trump signs executive order stripping NFL of ‘non-profit’ status.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • October 10, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") AsAmericanAsApplePie.org stated on October 8, 2017 in a headline: \"Jason Aldean gig canceled after he sells out to liberals on ‘SNL’.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • October 10, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") FreedomJunkshun.com stated on November 6, 2017 in a headline: \"Supreme Court issues its first bench warrant ever.\" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Susan Areson • November 9, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") React365.com stated on November 7, 2017 in an Internet post: Says the University of Florida \"requests to cancel rivalry game\" against Florida State University. ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • November 7, 2017 ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/98605b4996e42408507987c4affd735f.jpg\\") ![](\\" mugs-mug- independentgroup__________________3/d34069b2fffce57ddf492536b7c1e859.jpg\\") YourNewsWire.com stated on November 5, 2017 in an Internet post: \"Texas Church shooter was Antifa and wanted to start (a) ‘communist revolution.’ \" ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Joshua Gillin • November 6, 2017 ### NFL’s Goodell didn\'t say he would fine Steelers players $1 million each for skipping national anthem * ![](\\" ![](\\" Facebook posts stated on September 11, 2024 in una publicación en Facebook: Imagen muestra carnet del Partido Comunista de la vicepresidenta Kamala Harris. ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Maria Briceño • September 13, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Sam Brown stated on August 28, 2024 in a campaign appearance: Proposed Nevada constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights would put “essentially no limit on access to abortion.” ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Caleb McCullough • September 13, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Jon Tester stated on September 8, 2024 in a Facebook ad: Tim Sheehy “would let politicians like him ban abortion, with no exceptions for rape or to save a woman’s life, and criminalize women.” ![\\"barely-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"barely-true\\"](\\" barely-true.jpg\\") By Louis Jacobson • September 12, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Viral image stated on September 8, 2024 in a Threads post: “Elon Musk is going to expose Bill Gates soon, says ‘he’s evil.’” ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Ciara O\'Rourke • September 12, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Facebook posts stated on September 6, 2024 in a Facebook post: “Gordon Ramsay calls Tim Walz a ‘woke creep,’ throws him out of Hell’s Kitchen.” ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Ciara O\'Rourke • September 12, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Facebook posts stated on September 11, 2024 in una publicación en Facebook: \"ÚLTIMA HORA Río Nilo se pinta de rojo sangre\". ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Marta Campabadal Graus • September 12, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Viral image stated on September 7, 2024 in a Threads post: Photo shows Elton John wearing a “MAGA” jacket. ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Ciara O\'Rourke • September 12, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Facebook posts stated on September 11, 2024 in a photo: The Minnesota Vikings have denounced Tim Walz: “We don’t suppᴏrt his values.” ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu • September 12, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Instagram posts stated on September 8, 2024 in Instagram posts: Immigrants get $2,000 each time they cross the border illegally. ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Sofia Ahmed • September 12, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Viral image stated on August 30, 2024 in a Facebook post: Video shows tornadoes in Canada. ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Ciara O\'Rourke • September 12, 2024 Load more ### Support independent fact-checking. Become a member! In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts. Sign me up #### Offices District of Columbia 1800 I Street NW Washington, DC 20006 Florida 801 3rd St. S St. Petersburg, FL 33701 727-821-9494 #### People * Joe Biden * Kamala Harris * Donald Trump * Mitch McConnell * Hakeem Jeffries * Ron DeSantis #### State Editions * California * Florida * Iowa * Michigan * New Hampshire * New York * North Carolina * Pennsylvania * Texas * West Virginia * Wisconsin #### About Us * Our Process * Our Staff * En Español * Who pays for PolitiFact? * Advertise with Us * Corrections and Updates * Newsletters #### RSS Feeds * Recent Articles and Fact-checks * Recent Fact-checks Suggest a Fact-check #### Follow us The Facts Newsletter Sign up Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Copyright ©All Rights Reserved Poynter Institute 2020, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization ![\\"\\"](\\" ✕ * * *
NFL fines Pittsburgh Steelers 1 million each for skipping national anthem