- NFL. 49ers cheerleader's wild photos steal the spotlight after San Francisco crushes Cowboys
- NFL. Is it the end for the Cowboys? Dallas' only option left to salvage the season
Nick Bosa, a powerhouse defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers, is well-known for his skills on the field and also, occasionally, for his off-field choices that raise eyebrows. The 27-year-old stirred things up following the 49ers' victory over the Dallas Cowboys by showing up to an NBC Sports postgame interview wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat. While Bosa's hat appeared to subtly endorse Republican candidate Donald Trump, it also put him at odds with NFL regulations.
The NFL rulebook has strict guidelines on what players can display during game days. According to Rule 5, Article 4, Section 8, players are prohibited from displaying "personal messages either in writing or illustration" on game day. This includes anything worn during interviews, on the field, or visible to the public and television audiences.
The policy aims to keep the focus on the sport itself, rather than personal or political causes, and prohibits messages "relating to political activities or causes, non-football events, or charitable campaigns."
Bosa, typically unfazed by social media criticism (he's notably absent on X), may find it tougher to dodge the consequences if the NFL decides to enforce a penalty. His choice to wear the MAGA hat could potentially result in an $11,255 fine for violating the league's personal message policy.
NFL rules prohibit political and personal messages
It wouldn't be the first time this rule has led to fines. Just last season, Bosa's teammate George Kittle got hit with a fine after unveiling an undershirt emblazoned with "F*** Dallas," while Pittsburgh Steelers' George Pickens faced a $10,231 fine after wearing eye black with an explicit phrase.
NBC Sports attempted to the NFL for comment, along with SF Gate's Alex Simon and Pro Football Talk, but none received an official response on whether Bosa had asked for permission to wear the hat or if the NFL had approved the message.
In this context, Bosa's choice isn't just an expression of his political leanings but also a potential test of the league's consistency in enforcing its rules. Some players have questioned whether fines are applied uniformly, and Bosa's actions may add fuel to this ongoing debate. With NFL fines stacking up across the board for various uniform infractions, players like Bosa continue to highlight the thin line between self-expression and the strict guidelines that govern what they can-or can't-wear on game day.