NFL to Reggie Bush: We don't like your shoes

[Doafhat]

Bush fined by NFL for wearing unauthorized cleats (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-saints-bushfined&prov=ap&type=lgns)
August 14, 2006

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -- New Orleans rookie running back Reggie Bush drew more than just rave reviews for his fancy footwork Saturday in the Saints' preseason victory over the Tennessee Titans.

He also drew a fine.

The NFL objected to the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft wearing his new Adidas cleats. The league only allows players to wear Nike or Reebok shoes during games because of a marketing partnership.

Both Bush and the top pick in the draft, defensive end Mario Williams of North Carolina State, have signed endorsement deals with Adidas. The shoes in question are black with gold highlights and logo.

The fine was thought to be $10,000, but Bush, the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, originally said he was unsure of the total. He confirmed the fine after Monday's afternoon practice.

"Adidas took care of it," Bush said of the fine.

Bush rushed for 59 yards on six carries and caught two passes for 10 yards in his pro debut. The former Southern Cal back played about a quarter.

[Doafhat]

The cleats in question:

http://static.flickr.com/94/215627160_cb2523c710.jpg

[skippy4403]

The cleats in question:

http://static.flickr.com/94/215627160_cb2523c710.jpg

This is one reason why I don’t like the NFL. They fine you 10 G’s (small amount for most) for wearing the wrong shoes or covering their logo even on accident. IT is ridiculous.

[im4okst]

those are freaking cool shoes.

props to Adidas for poneying up the money. great marketing work!

screw the nfl.

[Doafhat]

Yeah, I don't like how the NFL loves to legislate silly little things like what brand of shoes a person wears, the clothes a coach can wear, or other forms of personal choice/expression. This case with Bush is especially ridiculous since Adidas and Reebok are all the same company now, but the NFL will only allow Reebok shoes and not Adidas.

I remember when Unitas died, Peyton Manning wanted to wear black high-tops to honor Johnny U, but the NFL threatened to fine him. They also didn't want Jake Plummer to wear a helmet sticker memorializing Pat Tillman long after the NFL's mandated timespan for wearing the sticker, but I can't remember if they actually fined him or not.

[kaje]

I wonder if it'd be worth it to Adidas to pony up 10K every game for the advertising they'd get out of it.

[RxCowboy]

No
Fun
League

[Slugger926]

They also didn't want Jake Plummer to wear a helmet sticker memorializing Pat Tillman long after the NFL's mandated timespan for wearing the sticker, but I can't remember if they actually fined him or not.

I think either Plummer did community service for the fine (visiting kids homes) or the fine was donated. They did reach middle ground that allowed Plummer to wear the helmet sticker longer. Plummer also came out and said the reason for the rule was to keep the NFL looking professional rather than like a NASCAR car with lots of advertisements.