The NFL’s $11,255 fine on San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa for wearing a MAGA hat on Oct. 27 was deliberately delayed until after the Nov. 5 presidential election to avoid backlash from Donald Trump. and his followers, sources said. The Wall Street Journal.
NFL players are strictly “prohibited from using, displaying or transmitting personal messages, whether written or illustrated” on the field. Therefore, Bosa’s decision to interrupt a postgame interview while wearing a ‘Make America Great Again’ hat was a clear violation of league rules.
But while it’s no surprise that Bosa incurred a minor penalty (just 0.06 percent of the nearly $17 million he’ll earn in salary and bonuses this season), the timing of the NFL’s decision has raised eyebrows.
The NFL has typically issued these types of fines much more quickly than the two weeks it took the league to sanction Bosa. For example, when Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens wrote “always f***ing open” about his black eye, the league responded with a $10,231 fine within a week.
An NFL spokesperson did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment on the timing of Bosa’s fine.
Nick Bosa surprises his colleagues by showing his MAGA hat to the NBC audience last month
Donald Trump and Kid Rock are seen at an Alabama-Georgia game in Tuscaloosa
CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones previously revealed on Nov. 1 that the NFL planned to punish Bosa after the Nov. 5 election.
Despite the league’s rule against “using, displaying or transmitting personal messages,” several Trump critics were quick to support the defensive side.
“I won’t be watching the NFL this week,” social media personality Nick Adams wrote on X. “Not a single game. Not a single play.
‘The woke NFL is trying to kick Nick Bosa out of the league like Tebow because he expressed a belief they didn’t like.
‘Disgusting. Boycott the NFL!’
Conservative sports podcaster Jason Whitlock called the fine “disingenuous,” while many others complained about the social justice messages NFL players were allowed to use during the 2020 season.
More than anything, fans accused the NFL of trying to silence a conservative voice within the league.
“Should have worn BLM clothes,” one fan wrote. “They would have given him 11G.”
Bosa has openly supported Donald Trump since before he was drafted in 2019.
Niners star Nick Bosa is a fan of Donald Trump and the feeling is evidently mutual.
Social media personality Nick Adams seized on the issue and claims he is boycotting the NFL.
Many suggested that Bosa was being attacked for supporting Donald Trump.
CBS reported on Nov. 1 that the league planned to delay Bosa’s fine until after the election.
“Funny how the (Black Live Matters) messages weren’t (fined), and the players didn’t kneel for the national anthem either… which was done to convey a personal message,” one reviewer wrote on X.
In 2016, the NFL stated that “players are encouraged not to be required to stand during the playing of the National Anthem.”
Bosa, a longtime Trump supporter, knew he would likely be fined and told reporters before receiving the penalty that “it was worth it.”
Bosa gave Trump another hat tip on Sunday when he imitated Trump’s notorious YMCA dance after sacking Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Trump responded online writing: ‘NICK BOSA IS A GREAT PLAYER!’
In 2019, Trump tweeted congratulations to Bosa “on being picked number two in the NFL Draft.”
“You will be a great player for years to come, maybe one of the best,” Trump wrote at the time. ‘Great talent! San Francisco will welcome you but, most importantly, always be true to yourself.’
As for the NFL’s political leanings, USA Today reported In October, team owners donated a total of $28 million this election cycle, with the bulk going to Republicans.