BREAKING NEWS: Pittsburgh Steelers President Art Rooney II Issues Strong Statement Following “Brewers Karen” Scandal

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania –

Steelers Leadership Speaks Out
The city of Pittsburgh woke up to a firm and emotional message from Pittsburgh Steelers President Art Rooney II, who addressed the viral controversy surrounding “Brewers Karen”, a story that has dominated national headlines over the past week.

In his statement, Rooney called the remarks of Shannon Kobylarczyk—the woman caught on video yelling “Call ICE!” at a U.S. veteran of Latin descent during the National League Championship Series—“disgraceful, un-American, and against everything this city and this team believe in.”

Rooney further confirmed that Kobylarczyk is permanently banned from Acrisure Stadium and from all Steelers-related events.

“There is no place for hate in Pittsburgh. Not in our stadium, not in our city, not under our flag,” Rooney declared.

His remarks spread rapidly across social media, with Steelers fans, veterans, and even rival teams praising the organization’s decisive stance.

The Incident Sparks a Firestorm
The controversy began during Game 2 of the National League Championship Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers at American Family Field. In the now-viral video, Kobylarczyk—dubbed “Brewers Karen” by internet users—was seen shouting “Call ICE!” at Ricardo Fosado, a Dodgers fan of Latin descent and a U.S. veteran.

Fosado, visibly stunned, responded that he had served in two wars and was a proud American citizen. The situation escalated when Kobylarczyk allegedly attempted to grab his phone, prompting security to intervene.

Both were escorted out of the stadium, but public outrage overwhelmingly condemned Kobylarczyk’s racist behavior. Within 24 hours, ManpowerGroup announced her termination, citing its zero-tolerance policy for discrimination. She also resigned from the Make-A-Wish Wisconsin Board of Directors.

Steelers Draw the Line
While the Brewers organization condemned the act, the Pittsburgh Steelers became the first NFL team to issue an official response—and they did so with unmistakable conviction.

“The values of sports—respect, unity, and equality—mean nothing if we stay silent in the face of hate,” Rooney stated.
“Acrisure Stadium is more than a football field. It’s where families, veterans, and fans of every background come together as one. That will never change.”

The Steelers’ statement quickly drew comparisons to the franchise’s long tradition of civic leadership, echoing the inclusive legacy built by the Rooney family and the late Dan Rooney, who championed diversity across the NFL through the Rooney Rule.

Fans and Players Respond
The response from Steelers Nation was immediate. On social media, the hashtag #SteelCityUnited began trending nationwide within hours.

Fans flooded the team’s posts with messages of support:

“This is Pittsburgh. We stand up for what’s right.”
“The black and gold stand for unity, not hate.”

Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt shared Rooney’s statement with a simple caption: “Respect. Always.”
Quarterback Kenny Pickett added: “That’s leadership. That’s Steelers football.”

Even rival fans joined in, with one Baltimore Ravens supporter writing:

“Can’t stand the Steelers on the field, but I respect this move 100%.”

A Statement Beyond Football
Analysts and community leaders praised Rooney’s swift response, calling it “a message rooted in decency, courage, and the true values of Pittsburgh.”
CNN described the statement as “an example of moral leadership in American sports,” while USA Today wrote that “the Steelers once again prove that their greatness extends far beyond football.”

In closing his statement, Art Rooney II summarized the team’s stance with a message that resonates deeply across Steelers Nation:

“The Pittsburgh Steelers don’t just represent a city—we represent its heart.
And in our house, hatred will never find a home.”