DeAngelo Williams and William Gay Also Fined for Promoting Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence Awareness

DeAngelo Williams and William Gay join teammate Cam Heyward in being fined by the NFL for uniform violations. Both have been fined $5,787 as first-time offenders.

For Heyward, it was wearing eye black with his father’s nickname, Iron Head, because Craig Heyward died of cancer. William Gay wore purple cleats to promote domestic violence awareness this past week. His mother was killed when he was young in a domestic violence incident. DeAngelo Williams lost his mother to breast cancer, and was denied in a request to wear pink throughout the season. He wore eye black with the message “find the cure” on Sunday.

The NFL continues to be tone-deaf on these issues. There has to be some standard uniform, but the NFL needs a better system for approving exceptions on a case-by-case basis, upon request filed by the player with the league. Otherwise it looks like they are just protecting brands and not actually interested in the charitable endeavors they promote for periods of time.