A post shared on social media purports that the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers Mike Tomlin has fired two players for kneeling during the National Anthem.

Verdict: False

The claim is inaccurate. There is no evidence this occurred.

Fact Check:

During Sunday night’s Patriots vs. Eagles game at Gillette Stadium, Tom Brady returned to New England for a halftime ceremony celebrating his time as Quarterback of the franchise, The Associated Press reported. After retiring last season, the team has not won a playoff game.

The Facebook post purports that Tomlin fired his players for disrespecting the National Anthem. The post shows side-by-side images, one of Tomlin and the other a Steeler player kneeling.

The caption reads, “Mike Tomlin Just Fired Two Players After They Knelt During National Anthem

There is no credible news report that suggests this claim is accurate. The post offers no source for this news. Check Your Fact conducted a search that revealed the source of the claim stems from an article on a website called Esspots.com.

Esspots.com shares disclaimer in on their about page that reads, “A Subsidiary of SpaceXMania.com specializing in Satire and Parody News.” SpaceXmania, the account who made the post’s website, also identifies itself as a satirical website.

Furthermore, the image in the post shows Jordan Dangerfield, a Steelers’ safety who has been out of the NFL since 2020. (RELATED: Did Oprah Winfrey Reveal Damaging Information About Tom Hanks?)

This is not the first time misinformation has been shared online. Check Your Fact debunked a photo allegedly showing a flood inside an apartment complex during Hurricane Hilary.