Social media buzzed with an unusual image of a football player wearing number 47 in the Pittsburgh Steelers' signature black jersey—an AI-generated photo of former President Donald Trump.
According to Fox News, Trump shared the digitally created image before attending Sunday night's game between the Steelers and the New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium, where the home team secured a 37-15 victory.
The former president's visit to Pittsburgh included multiple events, culminating in watching the game from a luxury suite alongside former Steelers stars Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell.
Trump's weekend in Pittsburgh began with a rally in nearby Latrobe on Saturday, where he was joined by Brown and Bell, both former Steelers standouts.
Brown, who achieved seven Pro Bowl selections during his tenure with the Steelers, displayed his support by wearing dark MAGA-themed attire and distributing modified Terrible Towels featuring Trump campaign merchandise.
The stadium enhanced its security measures in preparation for Trump's attendance, marking his second football game appearance of the year after previously attending the Georgia-Alabama match.
The visit highlighted a division among Steelers legends, with several prominent figures taking opposing political stances.
Notable Steelers Hall of Famers Jerome Bettis and "Mean" Joe Greene, along with Franco Harris's family, publicly declared their support for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Brown's presence carried particular significance given his historical impact on the team, including his achievements as the NFL's receiving leader in 2014 and 2017, plus leading in receiving touchdowns in 2018.
The crowd's reaction to Trump's presence manifested in widespread "U-S-A!" chants throughout the venue.
The AI-generated image shared by Trump, depicting him in full football gear, including pads and gloves, sparked significant social media engagement before the game.
The number 47 on the virtual jersey carried political significance, aligning with Trump's campaign as he seeks to become the 47th president.
The convergence of sports and politics at Acrisure Stadium demonstrated the intersection of athletic entertainment and presidential campaigning. Trump's appearance at the NFL game, enhanced by his AI-generated Steelers persona and support from former players, showcased a unique campaign strategy. The event highlighted the complex relationship between professional sports and political messaging in a key battleground state.
