Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown is not a fan of the NFL’s policy on cleats.
The All-Pro receiver confirmed earlier this week that the NFL made him change his cleats during the Monday Night Football game. He played the first half in neon-green cleats, but returned for the second half wearing black cleats.
“No Fun League strikes again!” Brown posted on social media, saying he was told to change the cleats or he would be pulled from the game.
Brown doubled down on his “No Fun League” sentiments Friday.
“That rule sucks,” Brown said (via ESPN). “I really tried to bend the rules a little bit, but I think all players should just wear whatever they want to wear. They’re not going to be able to fine everybody in the league. So I think we should start that movement as players.”
A.J. Brown lamented the NFL's rule that forced him to change cleats mid-game on Thursday from "highlighter green" to black. He said that he wore them so his daughter would be able to easily spot him on the field.
"I think all players should just wear whatever they want to wear." pic.twitter.com/mlg5gyRWBL
— Olivia Reiner (@ReinerOlivia) September 29, 2023
Brown said he faced a $7,100 fine if he had not complied, which he called “ridiculous.”
“It is what it is,” he said.
The official rule states players must wear black, white, or a team color for their cleats. There is an exception made once each season during the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” weekend.
Brown explained he wore the brightly colored shoes so his daughter could pick him out on the field.
“She got mad at me,” Brown said. “‘Why did I change the cleats?’”
[ESPN]