The NFL fined San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa $11,255 for interrupting a postgame interview with his teammates by pointing to his “Make America Great Again” hat, a league source confirmedSaturday.
Bosa’s behavior violated the NFL rule prohibiting players from wearing or displaying items “which relate to political activities or causes, other non-football events, causes or campaigns or charitable causes or campaigns.” The rule includes when players are visible to stadium and TV audiences, including postgame interviews.
President-elect Donald Trump has used the slogan “Make America Great Again” in his 2016, 2020 and 2024 presidential campaigns.
The incident occurred during San Francisco’s Week 8 win over the Dallas Cowboys, when Bosa crashed an NBC interview with 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy in the white-and-gold hat. The NFL waited until the Week 9 fines to make a decision. Bosa’s fine is the maximum allowed for a first offense.
When asked by reporters about the possibility of a fine on Wednesday, Bosa stood by wearing and showing his hat.
“It was well worth it,” he said about the potential for a fine. Bosa, 27, signed a five-year, $170 million contract in 2023.
“I don’t think my position on speaking about it is going to change. Clearly the nation spoke and we got what we got.”
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
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