NFL Players Wearing Unsanctioned 9/11 Tribute Gear May Be Fined

Sunday is the first regular season weekend of the 2011 NFL season, and it also happens to be the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks that devastated the country. In memory of the event, several NFL players have been announcing plans to wear special equipment as a tribute. These announcements have been sparking discussions as to whether or not the NFL should relax their otherwise strict uniform regulations for this Sunday's games.

Outside of situations like the $5,000 fine to Vikings wide receiver Bernard Berrian for wearing yellow cleats or $20,000 fine to Chad Ochocinco over wearing gold cleats, the NFL has enforced uniform rules even in situations where sensitivity and discretion should be used. Peyton Manning was threatened with a $25,000 fine after he announced plans to wear high-top cleats to honor Johnny Unitas after he passed away in 2002. Manning decided not to wear the high-tops, but Ravens quarterback Chris Redman decided to go ahead with the tribute to Unitas and was fined $5,000 for his violation of uniform rules.

A number of NFL players are stirring up a buzz on Twitter and other social media sites over their announced plans of 9/11 tributes during this weekend's games.

Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs posted this picture and a few comments on the possible fines on his twitter account (@55Berger):

Reebok great job on these gloves and shoes..looks like I'm getting fined this week. Lol!

Briggs also responded to a tweet about the fines saying:

Fines for gloves could be as much as 5k..the shoes 8-10k I think. not 100% on the shoe fine.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles joined in with a similar photo of his uniform additions with a couple comments via Twitter (@jcharles25):

I Have some commemorative 9/11 gloves & cleats for the weekend game.. That #reebok made me. I never forget.

Tennessee Titans quarterback released a couple photos yesterday on Twitter showing off shoes he plans to wear, but steered away from much in the way of comments (@MattHasselbeck):

Several other players have made similar announcements and rumors of others are circling as Sunday draws near. The NFL has yet to comment on the situation and interestingly enough, there isn't much in the way of coverage of this topic anywhere on the NFL's website as of the time this article was written. The league does have plans in place to commemorate the 9/11 anniversary, including: sideline personnel wearing commemorative pins, all uniforms will have a red, white, and blue ribbon patch just below the collar of jerseys, and the NFL will be donating $1 million to 9/11 related memorials and charities.

If you're wondering what the fine structure is for uniform violations, here's a quick outline courtesy of UniformViolation.com:

Uniform Fines:

The NFL collects fines immediately and then returned after an appeal or settlement.

Fines range from $5,000 to $25,000. Wearing a college hat on the field is an example of a $25,000 violation.

Foreign Substances on Body/Uniform is $10,000 or $15,000 (Additional fines may be imposed on team management and coaching staffs for condoning, permitting, etc., violations in this area.)

Other Uniform/Equipment uniform violation is $5,000 or $10,000

 

On Field violation fines increase for all playoff games (as of 01/2011): First Offense: $50,000, Second Offense: $75,000

On Field violation fines increase for Pro Bowl (as of 01/2011): $50,000

Super Bowl uniform violation: $100,000On Field Preseason and Regular Season uniform violation: $10,000 or $20,000NFL player fine money is split evenly among four organizations: the Brian Piccolo Cancer Fund, the Vincent T. Lombardi Cancer Research Center, ALSO Neuromuscular Research Foundation and the NFLPA Player Assistance Trust.

Some in the argument say players should be allowed to show their respects through tributes like those above, while others say allowing these violations would open a "Pandora's Box" of players offering tributes to various causes through the season. Will the NFL actually fine players who violate the rules? Do you think they should fine players? Leave your comments below.

Source: UniformViolation.com