Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams may get some unexpected help in covering the recent fine he was hit with for wearing unauthorized gear during a game. Williams wore Caddix cleats during a game, and the NFL took notice. According to Front Office Sports, they fined Williams $11,941 for not covering up the unauthorized logo.
Williams doesn't have any endorsement deal with Caddix, but the brand has since said it will pay the fine for the Bears quarterback. "Caleb didn't sign a deal with us. We have not paid him and are not paying him," a statement from Kafka Media Group founder Jack Rasmussen said.
The statement also mentioned that the cleats feature a trademarked "SmartStuds" technology, which will "release under injurious load" and help reduce "the force responsible for non-contact knee and ankle injuries." "We respect the league's rules on branding. But no player should have to choose between the cleat that adds to performance and the logo on the side," Rasmussen also wrote. More news: Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Gets Honest About ‘MNF’ Clash With Rival Eagles Fans reacted to an X post from Complex Sneakers about the brand's willingness to pay Williams' fine from the NFL.
Many commended the brand and indicated it was great publicity for the brand and terrible PR for the NFL. "NFL getting cooked over the fact that Caleb picked shoes that reduce injury at a time where the NFL is having insane injury issues," one commenter wrote. Another said, "This is not good PR for the NFL.
They preach “player safety” but they fine players for wearing cleats that can prevent injury." "This is the best possible marketing Caddix could have asked for and it’s only going to cost them $11k," a commenter said. The fine comes as Williams recently returned to play in his second consecutive game for Chicago after missing several contests with a hamstring tear he suffered against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2. He successfully led the Bears to a 30-24 home victory over the visiting New England Patriots in "Thursday Night Football." Williams completed 22 of 33 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
Next, they'll face a tough test against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, who gave Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs their first loss of the season on Sunday night. The Bears visit the Seahawks in "Monday Night Football" on Monday, Nov. 2, at 8:15 p.m. ET More news: Seahawks Savagely Troll Travis Kelce With Taylor Swift Jab After ‘SNF’ Win For more about the Chicago Bears and the NFL, visit Newsweek Sports.
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