NFL releases statement on Nick Bosa fine for MAGA hat

The NFL has released a statement on its fine of San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa for wearing a MAGA hat on the field.

Bosa was fined $11,255 for violating the NFL uniform and equipment rules for wearing a hat that contained a personal message after a recent game.

According to the NFL’ statement on the fine, the NFL rulebook stats that “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.”

Nick Bosa’s usage of the MAGA hat, apparel linked with Donald Trump’s campaign, did not fit the bill, apparently.

Bosa crashed a post-game interview on NBC during Sunday Night Football wearing the “Make America Great Again” hat.

He was spotted wearing the MAGA hat while interrupting a post-game interview with 49ers tight end George Kittle, quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Isaac Guerendo. NBC’s Melissa Stark was speaking to the three players when Bosa came into the frame and pointed to the hat that had “Make America Great Again” lettering in gold.

“Nick Bosa with a message there,” Stark said as Kittle, Purdy and Guerendo awkwardly smiled, per SFGate. NBC took out Bosa’s interruption from the social media video of the interview. When Bosa spoke to reporters, he was asked about why he chose to wear the MAGA hat.

“I’m not going to talk too much about it, but I think it’s an important time,” Bosa said.

Nick Bosa has been known to support former President and President Elect Donald Trump in the past. Over the summer, the former Ohio State star met Trump during a UFC fight in Miami.

On3’s Brian Jones also contributed to this report.