Military vet Steelers Player Subs out Police Shooting Victim’s Name for Hero Soldier

When the Pittsburgh Steelers chose to honor a police shooting victim, offensive lineman Alejandro Villanueva covered his name with that of a black Army Sergeant who died saving six Soldiers.

The Steelers announced on Monday that players had agreed to honor Antwon Rose Jr., a black teenager killed by police violence, by wearing his name on the back of their helmets. When they took the field against the New York Giants, Army veteran Alejandro had covered Rose’s name and hand wrote Alwyn Cashe over it.

Cashe was a career soldier who enlisted in the US Army straight out of high school in 1988. He served multiple tours in the Gulf and Iraq wars and achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class.

On a mission during a 2005 deployment to Iraq, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle Cashe was traveling in hit an IED and burst into flames. His uniform was doused in fuel as he managed to escape, but Cashe went back into the burning vehicle to rescue injured Soldiers, while in flames himself.

He saved six Soldiers and denied medical attention until they were all evacuated. He died weeks later of burn injuries that covered 72% of his body.

He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions, but supporters continue to push for an upgrade to the Medal of Honor. On Wednesday, new legislation was introduced in the U.S. House to allow the President to award Cashe the honor, he is currently ineligible as more than five years have passed since his heroic actions.

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When Alwyn Cashe was medically evacuated, his uniform had burned to ash. All he had left was his ballistic (kevlar) helmet. He definitely deserves to be awarded the Medal of Honor.