The NFL audience got an unexpected dose of MAGA over the weekend when 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa crashed a post-game interview sporting a new Trump hat after his team’s victory.
The pro-Trump TV moment unfolded following Sunday Night Football’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, as NBC reporter Melissa Stark spoke with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and others.
Amid a question, Bosa appeared behind Purdy and pointed at his white hat with gold embroidering reading, “Make America Great Again,” prompting his fellow players to laugh.
Nick Bosa just crashed the post-game interview wearing his gold and white MAGA hat.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 28, 2024
We’re so back 🇺🇸
pic.twitter.com/upTwMZYJ3y
Following the incident, triggered reporters asked Bosa about “what appeared to be a political statement.”
“I’m not gonna talk too much about it, but I think it’s an important time,” Bosa responded.
Nick Bosa on crashing the post-game live show with his MAGA hat:
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 28, 2024
“I’m not gonna talk too much about it, but I think it’s an important time.” 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2l7pvIBOaG
Following the liberal media fallout over Bosa’s stunt, the Niners player received support from Chicago Bears Hall-of-Famer Brian Urlacher, who replied on Instagram, “MAGA.”
According to CBS Sports writer John Breech, the NFL could punish Bosa for making a political statement on the field.
“Although he’s free to wear that hat whenever he wants outside the stadium, he could end up facing a punishment for wearing it inside the stadium,” writes Breech.
“The saying on the hat is Donald Trump’s political slogan, and the NFL has a rule in place that prohibits players from wearing or displaying political messages while they’re on the job. As noted by the San Francisco Chronicle, the Rule 5, Section 4, Article 8 of the NFL rulebook is pretty clear about what players are allowed to wear and what they’re not allowed to wear once they get to the stadium on game day.”
The rule reportedly states:
“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.”
Time will tell whether the NFL will anger half of America by penalizing the player, especially during the contentious run-up to the 2024 election.