Will Nick Bosa be fined for wearing MAGA hat? What NFL rulebook says about players sharing political messages

Nick Bosa made it evident who he is voting for this election year. 

The 49ers picked up a big win on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 8, defeating the Cowboys 30-24 at home to improve to 4-4. Bosa contributed three tackles in his defensive effort, adding to his solid 2024 campaign. 

Speaking of campaigns, Bosa created a bit of an awkward moment on the NBC broadcast after the game. NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark was interviewing Bosa’s teammates Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and Isaac Guerendo when the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year elected to crash the party. 

He didn’t say a word, but instead pointed to a “Make America Great Again” hat he was wearing on his head. While most MAGA hats are usually red with white lettering, Bosa’s was white with gold lettering, which made it harder to read on television, but nonetheless, the lid is in support of former president Donald Trump. 

With it being election season, Bosa seemingly meant to use his air time to send a political message. However, could the NFL discipline him for wearing the MAGA hat?

The Sporting News explains the rule that could lead to a fine for Bosa. 

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Will Nick Bosa be fined for wearing MAGA hat? 

Bosa could be fined by the NFL for wearing the MAGA hat on live television, according to Rule 5, Section 4, Article 8 of the NFL rulebook. 

This is what the rule states regarding “personal messages”:

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 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.

Per ProFootballTalk, the NFL is “reviewing the situation” with Bosa but any action would be delayed until at least next week.

It’s very possible that Bosa could be hit with a fine for his actions. While the hat’s message may not have been totally visible on the screen, it still technically violates the NFL rulebook, given its stance on political messages. 

Bosa confirmed he had not been dealt a fine for his headgear yet after practice on Wednesday.

“I haven’t got [a fine] yet. If it comes, it comes,” Bosa said.

“It was well worth it,” he continued. “I don’t think my position on speaking about [the election] is going to change. Clearly, the nation has spoke and we got what we got.”

Nick Bosa MAGA hat video

During the postgame interview by Stark on NBC, the reporter and the three other 49ers were briefly interrupted by Bosa. Initially surprised and somewhat confused at first, Stark read the hat and offered the sentiment of, “Alright, Nick Bosa with a message there.”

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The rest of the interview proceeded normally, with Bosa not saying anything besides pointing to the hat.

Bosa was asked about the hat during his press conference. Sporting a different lid, the 49ers star declined to get into details regarding the MAGA apparel. 

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