49ers lineman Nick Bosa was fined by the NFL for crashing his teammates’ interview with MAGA Hat

CNN
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San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa was fined $11,255 by the NFL after he interrupted his teammates’ postgame interview on Sunday to express his support for former President Donald Trump in the presidential election Showing up in 2024 wearing a hat emblazoned with Trump’s slogan, “Make America Great Again.” A league source told CNN.

After the 49ers’ 30-24 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, Bosa, 27, interrupted the postgame interview with Brock Purdy, George Kittle and Isaac Guerendo by jogging back and forth between Purdy and NBC’s Melissa Stark before jumping on shows the message emblazoned on the front of his hat and then runs away.

The NFL’s rulebook states: “During the entire time on game day that a player is visible to the stadium and television audience (including during pregame warmups, in the bench area, and during postgame interviews in the locker room or on the field.” ) Players are prohibited from carrying, displaying, or otherwise transmitting personal messages in writing or illustrations unless such message has been approved in advance by the league office.”

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Bosa said he had not been fined, but added that he knew that could be the case.

“I don’t have one yet, but when it comes, it comes. It was worth it,” said Bosa.

“I don’t think my stance on talking about it will change. Apparently the nation spoke. And we got what we got.”

Bosa’s mother, Cheryl, appeared to support her son’s message, posting a user’s recent Instagram Story with the message: “(Cheryl Bosa) You raised your boy right!!” #BOSAFORTRUMP.”

Bosa and Trump have been linked for a long time, even before he was drafted by the 49ers with the second overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

During his time at Ohio State, Bosa had previously criticized some old political tweets, including tweets supporting Trump and a tweet in which he called Colin Kaepernick, a former 49er, a “clown.” According to a 2019 NFL.com article, Bosa apologized for the remark.

“I respect what (Kaepernick) did,” Bosa said at a news conference after being drafted in 2019. “If it empowers someone, then he’s doing something good. “I apologize for that.”

Kaepernick started the movement of NFL players kneeling before the “Star-Spangled Banner” to protest police brutality and racism. Trump railed against Kaepernick and other protesting players and called on the NFL to take punitive action against them. Kaepernick later filed a lawsuit against the NFL, accusing the teams of colluding to keep him from playing, and made a settlement earlier this year. after to his lawyer.

Bosa has since deleted the tweets, which, according to ESPN, contained criticism of Kaepernick as well as Beyoncé and the film “Black Panther.” When asked in an ESPN interview why he deleted the posts, Bosa said: “I had to.”

“There’s a chance I could end up in San Francisco,” Bosa said.

When Bosa was drafted into the NFL, Trump offered his support for the defensive end.

“Congratulations to Nick Bosa as the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft. You will be a great player in the years to come, perhaps one of the best. Great talent! San Francisco will embrace you, but most importantly, always stay true to yourself. Make America Great Again!” Trump posted at the time.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CNN’s Homero De la Fuente contributed to this report