evidence: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday that he and the organization would support player protests during the upcoming 2020 season. [...] Previously, Colin Kaepernick began protesting police brutality by kneeling during the playing of the national anthem during the 2016 season. Preceding a Week 3 game against the host Chicago Bears in 2017, the majority of the Steelers team did not appear on the sideline during the playing of the national anthem in the aftermath of President Donald Trump suggesting NFL owners fire players who kneel for the anthem. The NFL's third longest-tenured head coach, Tomlin was resolute in his statement that he would support his players protesting, though he underlined it by saying he expected it to be done in respectful fashion.