Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – One day after the Baltimore Ravens publicly condemned the racist behavior directed at quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Pittsburgh Steelers took the strongest possible action. Team owner

Art Rooney II announced a permanent ban on the fan group responsible for the incident at MT&T Bank Stadium, sending shockwaves across the league and reaffirming a zero-tolerance policy toward discrimination in the NFL.

Reports surfaced late Sunday that a group of fans shouted racist insults at Lamar Jackson as he headed toward the tunnel, prompting immediate outrage from both organizations. Rooney emphasized that his decision was not only in solidarity with the Ravens, but to reinforce that the Steelers’ tradition is built on respect — even in one of football’s fiercest rivalries.

At the press conference, Rooney appeared more stern than usual, acknowledging that the incident left players and staff feeling embarrassed by a small segment of what has long been considered one of the NFL’s most loyal fanbases. That was when he delivered the message that resonated across the league:

“The Pittsburgh Steelers do not stand with hatred. If someone cannot show basic human respect, they cannot stand in our stadium — not now, not ever.”

The Ravens organization immediately voiced appreciation, especially after

Lamar Jackson privately shared that the slur invoked painful cultural meaning for his family. While Baltimore set the tone by condemning the act, it was the Steelers — the home team where the incident occurred — who delivered the ultimate punishment, bringing decisive closure to a shameful moment.

Across the NFL, players and former players praised the move as a critical step in protecting the league’s integrity. Even as the NFL continues its broader investigation, one truth has become unmistakable: the league is no longer willing to overlook or excuse behavior that crosses the line of decency.

With Art Rooney II’s action, the Steelers transformed a disgraceful episode into a defining statement — a reminder that respect is not just a Ravens value or a Steelers value, but a core value of the National Football League.