New York Giants wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz did something pretty amazing Sunday to honor the victims of 9/11 — they wore patriotic cleats.
Most Americans thought the cleats were an awesome way for the players to pay their respects to the victims of 9/11, but the NFL, which has more rules and regulations than most people can keep track of, did not see it that way.
In fact, they threatened to fine any players who did not wear their standard regulation footgear during games $6,076.00 for their first such offense, The New York Times reported.
Apparently, the fine didn’t matter as much to these players as the chance to honor those fallen during one of the most significant events in modern American history, so they wore them anyway.
Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz plan to wear special 9/11 cleats for today's season opener. pic.twitter.com/mt8uciDJ41
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 11, 2016
Beckham’s cleats were red, white and blue and depicted the bust of a bald eagle. They also had an image of the Twin Towers on them. Cruz’s cleats had red and white stripes with blue stars on them. They also had a firetruck on them that featured his late father’s fire engine number.
Cruz caught the game-winning touchdown pass that lead to his team’s victory over the Dallas Cowboys. It was an amazing touchdown, as Cruz has not played for almost two years because of injuries.
Unfortunately, Cruz’s score probably won’t sway the NFL’s decision to fine him or Beckham for wearing the cleats.