Nick Bosa MAGA hat: NFL reviewing 49ers DE's SNF display for potential fine

The NFL will make a determination later this week if San Francisco 49ers (4-4) defensive end Nick Bosa is warranted a fine for wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat on the Week 9 Sunday Night Football postgame show, per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.

The league is not considering a suspension for Bosa.

Following the Week 8 home victory over the Dallas Cowboys (3-4), NBC Sports sideline reporter Melissa Stark conducted an on-field interview with Bosa’s teammates, quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle and running back Isaac Guerendo. Bosa crashed the interview wearing and pointing at his MAGA hat before heading into the locker room.

Nick Bosa crashes his teammates' postgame interview on 'Sunday Night Football' while wearing a Make America Great Again hat. pic.twitter.com/1bTufDbRpc

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 28, 2024

MAGA is the campaign slogan for Donald Trump, the Republican nominee in the 2024 United States presidential election. This year’s presidential election is scheduled for this coming Tuesday.

Nick Bosa comments on political statement after SNF

Bosa is in violation of Rule 5, Section 4, Article 8 of the NFL 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,” the rule states, via Tyler Dragon of USA Today.

“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.”

Bosa declined to discuss his political message when asked by a reporter after the game.

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