Is the NFL delaying fining San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa until after the election?
The league is currently investigating an incident involving the defensive end for wearing a “Make America Great Again” cap during a live postgame interview.
Bosa isn’t facing any suspension, but may receive a fine for breaching league regulations, according to Jonathan Jones from CBS Sports.
This situation unfolded when Bosa interrupted a postgame interview with 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy following their victory over the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday.
Brock Purdy, George Kittle and Isaac Guerendo join Melissa Stark to reflect on the 49ers victory over the Cowboys, and the trio get presented championship belts for National Tight Ends Day. pic.twitter.com/s9O2qLOHxM
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) October 28, 2024
Bosa appeared behind Purdy, highlighting his cap, while tight end, George Kittle, chuckled as the star defender sprinted back to the locker room.
During a press conference after the game, Bosa refrained from discussing the matter.
About his support for former President Donald Trump, he said, “I’m not gonna talk too much about it, but I think it’s an important time.”
Source to @NFLonCBS: The NFL is looking into Nick Bosa wearing a MAGA hat Sunday postgame. There will not be a determination on any potential fine until later next week. I’m told there is no consideration for any potential suspension. pic.twitter.com/6plJWQzE6M
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) November 1, 2024
“Source to @NFLonCBS: The NFL is looking into Nick Bosa wearing a MAGA hat Sunday postgame,” Jones tweeted.
“There will not be a determination on any potential fine until later next week. I’m told there is no consideration for any potential suspension.”
According to Breitbart, the move to wait to fine Bosa is “highly unusual.”
Per the NFL Football Operations site, fines from the previous week are typically disclosed by 4 P.M. EST the next Saturday, which should have happened by November 2.
The publication claimed the NFL is making a “calculated political move” to subvert a verbal lashing from Trump before the election.
Breitbart Sports noted that the NFL has implemented a policy to prevent former Trump from “weaponizing” the league.
At first, Kaepernick sat on the bench to protest. Then he started kneeling. I bet you have no idea why. Read this to find out. https://t.co/5FWyTLbR4V pic.twitter.com/NhuMdBKpFh
— Jonathan Capehart (@CapehartJ) May 29, 2018
This policy was initiated in 2018 when Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protests were prevalent in the league.
At that time, the NFL introduced a rule requiring players to either stand for the anthem or stay in the locker room during its performance.
Jim Trotter, a former NFL Media reporter, spoke with Packers CEO Mark Murphy, who said the NFL had determined that, “We can’t have Trump weaponizing our league.”
The NFL rule book clarifies in Rule 5, Section 4, Article 8 what players are permitted to wear and, crucially, what they are prohibited from wearing on game days.
“The League will not grant permission for any club or player 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. Further, any such approved items must be modest in size, tasteful, non-commercial, and non-controversial; must not be worn for more than one football season,” the rule specifies.
Additionally, the rule notes that: “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 does allow for commemorating “anniversaries or memorable events, or to honor or commemorate individuals” using helmet decals, jersey patches, and armbands, provided the league office is informed.
Bosa has been a long-time backer of Trump, even before playing in the NFL. Back in 2019, he disclosed that he scrubbed his X account of Trump posts and criticism of former 49ers quarterback and activist Colin Kaepernick, fearing he might not be fully welcomed by San Francisco if drafted by the team.
The NFL has already penalized one player this season for infringing this particular section of the rule book.
Steelers wide receiver George Pickens received a $10,000 penalty for displaying a personal message in his eye black when they played against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5.