Nick Bosa faces potential punishment from NFL over controversial MAGA hat stunt at postgame interview

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA: Nick Bosa may face punishment from the NFL for wearing a MAGA hat while crashing a postgame interview on NBC during 'Sunday Night Football,' CBS Sports reported on Tuesday, August 29.

The San Francisco 49ers defensive end popped up on camera while Melissa Stark interviewed his teammate Brock Purdy. He wordlessly pointed at his hat that read 'Make America Great Again' for a few seconds. His appearance was acknowledged by Stark, who then went back to her interview.

According to the publication, while Bosa was free to wear the hat and flaunt his political stance outside the stadium, the rules were different inside.

Which rule did Nick Bosa break by wearing MAGA hat?

The NFL has a rule in place that prohibits players from wearing or displaying political messages while representing their teams. With MAGA being the political slogan of the GOP nominee Donald Trump, Bosa violated the rule.

Rule 5, Section 4, Article 8 of the NFL rulebook specifies what players are allowed or not allowed to wear after arriving at the stadium on the day of the game.

"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," states the rule.

Among the things that they are prohibited to wear are that "relate to political activities or causes, other non-football events, causes or campaigns, or charitable causes or campaigns."

The rule is non-partisan, and the most likely form of punishment for Bosa would be a fine.

Internet reacts to NFL rule that Nick Bosa violated

Netizens, especially conservatives, reacting to the news on the social media platform X trolled the NFL for their rule. The following tweets demonstrate their takes.

"World is getting way too soft! It’s just a hat!" wrote a user.

"Ngl that rule is f******g stupid lmao," stated another.

"Oh please he did nothing wrong," claimed a third.

"The NFL isn’t called the No Fun League for no reason at all. Bunch of snowflakes run this league," chided a fourth.

"Haha! Punishment? Give me a break. He wore a hat. Big deal. The niners will pay his fine," mocked a fifth.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.