The fire chief of a town near Pittsburgh posted a racial slur aimed at Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has been fired.
According to WTAE, Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Station No. 2 chief Paul Smith wrote: “Tomlin just added himself to the list of no good N******. Yes I said it.”
Smith posted the message after Tomlin led his team to stay in the locker room during the playing of the national anthem before Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears, an action that has drawn criticism and backlash from fans and others.
On Tuesday, the township board of supervisors relieved Smith of his position as volunteer fire chief, USA Today reported.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Smith had resigned.
“The media dragged my fire company and township into this as well as my family,” Smith told the Gazette.
More than 200 NFL players and staff protested during the national anthem before games over the weekend and Monday night. In addition to Tomlin's Steelers, the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans also remained in the locker room for the anthem.
Tomlin said his team’s actions were an attempt for the team to show unity, not to disrespect the flag.
Some NFL protesters appeared to be responding to comments made by President Donald Trump at a rally Friday night in which he said he wished coaches would fire players who protested during the anthem.
Most thought it was appropriate for the fire chief to lose his job, though a few suggested he should have the same freedom of speech the protesters want to have.