NBC’s Melissa Stark (L) with Nick Bosa (C) and Brock Purdy (R).Photo:Paul Spinelli via AP
Paul Spinelli via AP
According toThe Washington Post, the San Francisco 49ers defensive end was fined $11,255 after he wore the hat while crashing an interview with NBC’s Melissa Stark after the 49ers' Oct. 27 win against the Dallas Cowboys. Stark was in the process of interviewing Bosa’s fellow teammatesBrock Purdy,George Kittleand Isaac Guerendo when the moment occurred.
During the interview — which has since gone viralon X(formerly Twitter) — Bosa, 27, can be seen walking into frame and pointing to his hat, which featured president-electDonald Trump’s campaign slogan.
In his own postgame interview, Bosa acknowledged the moment, saying, “I’m not going to talk too much about it, but I think it’s an important time,” perABC News. The athlete also shared a photo of the moment on hisInstagramthe following day on Oct. 28.
On Wednesday, Nov. 6, Bosatold reportersthat he had not been fined at the time, “but if it comes, it comes,” in an interviewposted on X. When asked if he knew that wearing the MAGA hat during the broadcast could result in a fine, he said, “It was well worth it.”
“I don’t think my position on speaking about it is going to change. Clearly, the nation spoke and we got what we got,” Bosa continued, referring to theresults of the 2024 presidential election.
Nick Bosa at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clarita, Calif., on Oct. 27, 2024.Lachlan Cunningham/Getty
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty
In addition, the organization “will not grant permission for any club or player to wear, display or otherwise convey messages … which relate to political activities or causes, other non-football events, causes or campaigns, or charitable causes or campaigns.”
These policies apply to players when they are visible to stadium and television audiences and include postgame interviews on the field and in the locker room.
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Nick Bosa on the field in October 2024.Michael Owens/Getty
Michael Owens/Getty
Bosa has been vocal about his support for the president-elect in the past, and Trump, 78, congratulated the athlete on joining the 49ers in a 2019post on X.
“Congratulations to Nick Bosa on being picked number two in the NFL Draft,” Trump wrote at the time. “You will be a great player for years to come, maybe one of the best. Big Talent! San Francisco will embrace you but most importantly, always stay true to yourself. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Bosa signed a five-year, $170 million extension contract with the 49ers in September 2023, which included a $122.5 million guarantee, according toNFL.com. The player has yet to release a public statement about the fine.
source: people.com