San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa’s postgame actions are creating more headlines than his performance on the field during the team’s 30-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Bosa interrupted NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark’s live postgame interview with Brock Purdy, George Kittle and Isaac Guerendo on the Levi’s Stadium field. The 49ers defensive end was wearing a ‘Make America Great Again’ hat when he interrupted the interview. He pointed to the hat – which featured the slogan of former president Donald Trump – before the defensive end ran off to the locker room.
Bosa’s teammates paused and acknowledge him. Kittle laughed and appeared to be surprised by Bosa’s gesture. Stark also seemed to be a bit surprised by the interruption.
‘Alright, Nick Bosa with a message there,’ Stark said after Bosa interrupted the interview.
Reporters asked Bosa about his political statement during the 49ers’ postgame press conference, but he was vague in his response.
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‘I’m not going to talk too much about it, but it’s an important time,’ Bosa said.
Did Nick Bosa violate NFL rules when he wore a MAGA hat on the field?
Bosa’s postgame ‘Make American Great Again’ hat stunt did indeed violate an NFL rule and he is subjected to a possible fine.
The bylaw Bosa broke is stated in Rule 5, Section 4, Article 8 of the NFL’s rulebook:
“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. Items to celebrate anniversaries or memorable events, or to honor or commemorate individuals, such as helmet decals, and arm bands and jersey patches on players’ uniforms, are prohibited unless approved in advance by the league office. All such items approved by the League office, if any, must relate to team or league events or personages. 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; and if approved for use by a specific team, must not be worn by players on other teams in the league.”
Further, the NFL’s general policy on uniform states that any ‘visible items worn on game day by players must be issued by the club or the League.’ If not, then they must have approval in advance by the League office.
From the 2024 NFL rulebook (Rule 5, Section 4, Article 1):
‘Throughout the game-day period while in view of the stadium and television audience, including during team pregame warm-ups, all players must dress in a professional manner under the uniform standards. The helmet and mandatory padding referenced in Article 3 below are intended to provide reasonable protection to a player while reasonably avoiding risk of injury to other players. The development of Playing Rules should be governed by this Article. Players generally must present an appearance that is appropriate to representing their individual clubs and the National Football League.The term uniform, as used in this policy, applies to every piece of equipment worn by a player, including helmet, shoulder pads, thigh pads, knee pads, and any other item of protective gear, and to every visible item of apparel, including but not limited to pants, jerseys, wristbands, gloves, game socks and/or leg coverings, shoes, visible undergarments, and accessories such as headwear worn under helmets and hand towels. All visible items worn on game day by players must be issued by the club or the League, or, if from outside sources, must have approval in advance by the League office.’
Will Nick Bosa get fined for wearing the MAGA hat?
The NFL will make the final determination whether or not Bosa is disciplined, but he did violate Rule 5, Section 4, Article 8 of the NFL’s rulebook.
The NFL has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.