Martellus Bennett is the latest NFL player to be fined by the league for a uniform violation. He might be the first, though, to claim that NFL is putting his health at risk by not permitting him to wear the cleats he wants to on game days.
Martellus Bennett upset at NFL fine for ‘too black’ shoes
The Bears tight end says the league is putting his health at risk by not allowing him to wear the cleats that he wants.
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
On Wednesday Bennett revealed he had been fined $5,787 -- the standard fine for a player who violates the league's uniform or equipment rules for the first time -- by the NFL for wearing cleats that were "too black" last Sunday against the Seahawks, via ESPN Chicago's Jeff Dickerson.
"I'm just pissed off at the NFL," the Bears tight end said. "[Those cleats are] perfect for my feet. I feel like they are supposed to protect the players, and I have a certain shoe that feels the best on my foot. I've had foot problems over the last two years. And they fine me because they're too black. They don't make them in white. I'm not a Nike guy. So I'm kind of [upset] about that."
Bennett was referring to the league’s deal with Nike which allows the Oregon-based brand to be the official cleat of the NFL. Bennett said he prefers to play in Jordan Brand cleats, but that he also always makes sure to black out the Jordan logo before games. He added that he “can’t afford to get fined every week” and so he plans on finding a new pair of cleats.
But Bennett also claims that new cleats "will affect my game and affect my health. The 28-year-old tight end currently leads the Bears in receiving with 13 catches for 118 yards and one touchdown this season. He and the Bears will try to win their first game on the year on Sunday, when they take on the 2-1 Raiders at home in Soldier Field.
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