The NFL purposely waited until after the presidential election to punish 49ers star pass rusher Nick Bosa for wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat while crashing his teammates’ postgame interview on NBC after an Oct. 27 win over the Cowboys.
The league opted to “punt” on fining Bosa $11,255 for what was a violation of rules to avoid the perception that it would be making an anti-Donald Trump statement before the Nov. 5 election, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.
Trump won the election over vice president Kamala Harris.
In the NFL rulebook, Rule 5, section 4, article 8 states, “Throughout the period on game day that a player is visible to the stadium and television audience (including in pregame warm-ups, in the bench area, and during postgame interviews in the locker room or on the field), players are prohibited from wearing, displaying, or otherwise conveying personal messages either in writing or illustration, unless such message has been approved in advance by the League office.”
The rule also says the NFL won’t grant permission for teams or players to “wear, display, or otherwise convey messages, through helmet decals, arm bands, jersey patches, mouthpieces, or other items affixed to game uniforms or equipment, which relate to political activities or causes, other non-football events, causes or campaigns, or charitable causes or campaigns.”
News of Bosa’s fine broke Saturday, 13 days after he wore the hat on television.
Normally, such fines would be assessed less than a week after the offense.
Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was fined on Oct. 12 after he wore eye black with the message “open f–king always” during a game against the Cowboys six days prior.
Bosa, 27, knew he was risking a fine by wearing the hat before it was levied, telling reporters, “it was well worth it.”
The four-time Pro Bowler, who has 5.5 sacks in nine games this season, paid homage to Trump with a sack dance on Sunday, and Trump praised the former Ohio State star in a post on Truth Social.
“NICK BOSA IS A GREAT PLAYER,” Trump wrote.
