San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa will not face suspension after wearing a MAGA hat in support of presidential candidate Donald Trump during a televised postgame interview.
After the Niners beat the Dallas Cowboys 30-27 on Oct. 27, San Francisco stars Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and rookie Isaac Guerendo were interviewed live on NBC Sports before Bosa emerged behind them. The 27-year-old was seen wearing a ‘Make America Great Again’ hat, a political slogan used by Trump during his campaign.
According to CBS Sports, the NFL won’t suspend Bosa despite his violation of league policy but he could face a major fine. However, a final decision on his punishment is not expected until next week – after the election is over.
Bosa removed the hat before conducting his postgame press conference and was hesitant when reporters asked about the MAGA cap.
“I’m not gonna talk too much about it, but I think it’s an important time,” Bosa said. When asked whether he felt the need to express his views, Bosa added: “It’s definitely a little easier nowadays, but no, I don’t feel too inclined to do that. It’s just a different climate.”
Bosa heavily violated league policy when crashing the NBC interview, with the NFL laying out strict rules when it comes to displaying messages. Rule 5, Section 4, Article 8 of the NFL rulebook says that no player who is “visible to the stadium and television audience” is permitted to “wear, display, or otherwise convey personal messages either in writing or illustration unless such message has been approved in advance by the League office.”
This rule includes the pregame warmups and postgame interviews both on the field and in the locker room. However, when it comes to Bosa’s situation, he crosses several lines.
In addition to the rule on personal messages, the NFL rulebook also states: “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.”
Bosa has supported Trump since before he made it to the NFL, and even felt inclined to clean up his Twitter account before entering the 2019 NFL Draft. Bosa deleted posts promoting Trump while at Ohio State University and also retracted likes on political messages.
The then-prospect told ESPN he cleansed his account due to fears he wouldn’t be accepted in San Francisco should he be selected by the Niners. Bosa ended up being picked by San Francisco second overall and won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019.
“I had to,” Bosa told ESPN at the time. “There is a chance I might end up in San Francisco.” Since joining the Niners, Bosa also earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2022 but is yet to win a championship ring despite two visits to the Super Bowl.
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