PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers stressed the need for unity as the team weighed how to properly promote social justice.

It didn’t quite work out that way during their season-opening win over the New York Giants, and left tackle Alejandro Villaneuva finds himself again in the middle of a difficult conversation about self-expression on a volatile subject.

Three years ago Villaneuva — a graduate of West Point and a decorated U.S. Army veteran — found himself standing alone with his hand over his heart as the national anthem played while his teammates remained out of sight in a nearby tunnel. On Monday night, while the rest of his teammates honored Antwon Rose Jr., a Black Pittsburgh teenager shot in the back and killed by a white police officer in 2018 by emblazoning his name on a white strip on the back of their helmets, Villanueva instead chose to honor Alwyn Cashe, a Black soldier who died from injuries sustained in Iraq in 2005.

While Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Villanueva approached him about the decision before the game, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and defensive tackle Cam Heyward — both captains — admitted they were caught off guard.

“I did not know about Al’s choice for the back of his helmet,” Roethlisberger said. “Obviously, it’s his choice. That’s the amazing thing about the country we live in. Unfortunately, it is what it is.”

Tomlin has encouraged his players to speak out and take action if they do so respectfully, guidelines Tomlin believes Villanueva’s decision did not violate.