Last season, Alex Smith enjoyed showing his support for San Francisco’s baseball team by wearing a Giants hat to some of his postgame press conferences. Although professional athletes didn’t necessarily grow up in the area where they are playing and have allegiances to other teams, fans like to see the symmetry — hence why Tom Brady heard so much grief over this wardrobe selection. However, the NFL has warned Smith that he will be fined $15,000 if he does it again.
According to the San Jose Mercury News, the NFL’s dress code mandates that players wear sponsored gear during the 90 minutes before and after games. Since a Giants hat is non-sponsored gear, Smith is not permitted to wear it.
“Yeah, can you call (Giants chief executive) Larry Baer for me?” Smith joked when reporters suggested that he ask the Giants to pay the fine.
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reports that the NFL actually did fine Smith $15,000 for wearing the hat last year but decided to rescind the fine and leave him with a warning. Smith also let reporters know that he is aware of the Giants’ magic number to clinch a playoff spot and didn’t sound like a man who intends to change his postgame wardrobe. And that, my friends, it what loyalty is all about. And wealth…
H/T NBC Bay Area
Photo courtesy of @SFGiantsFans
