What are those! NFL players can wear custom cleats this week without fines
Way back when, in Week 1 of the 2016 NFL season, the league made a big announcement — it would finally allow players to wear customized cleats. But only during Week 13.
The NFL nabbed a handful of players this season for wearing cleats that violated the league's notoriously strict uniform policy. Players still found ways to sport custom cleats, though, donning shoes within their team's color scheme or simply ditching the custom kicks before kickoff.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, players don't have to worry this weekend -- Week 13 has finally arrived.
You May Also Like
"My Cause, My Cleats," as the NFL is calling it, comes with a couple caveats.
This week's custom cleats need to honor a specific cause or charity, which the league had to approve before this week. Second, players must auction off their cleats after the game and donate all of the proceeds to their chosen charity.
More than 500 players will join the movement this weekend, according to the league. Here's a look at some of the cleats they're already unveiling.
Players have been fined in the past for sporting custom cleats, even if they supported a charitable cause.
The league fined Brandon Marshall for sporting lime-green cleats to support Mental Illness Awareness Week in 2013, and handed William Gay a $5,787 fine last year for his purple cleats, which the Steelers' cornerback wore to promote domestic violence awareness.
The NFL will finally celebrate individuality this week, instead of trouncing it, as the league usually does.
