Steelers cornerback William Gay was fined by the National Football League for wearing purple shoes in the Steelers’ 23-13 loss in Kansas City on Sunday.
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Williams was fined for having “We will find a cure” and the pink breast cancer awareness ribbon on his eye black in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, specifically in recognition of his mother’s battle with breast cancer.
The running back, Williams, received a first-offense uniform violation for a hefty fee too. But the fact Heyward had worn his since at least last season and Williams for over five years, and now suddenly gets fined for it, the rules become arbitrary. Gay said he had publicly supported that cause for years like DeAngelo Williams had, and did not have any troubles. However, they are not the first people to be punished for these violations.
Defensive lineman Cameron Heyward was twice fined for honoring his late father (who died of cancer) by writing “IRON HEAD” on his eye black. The league does not have a problem with eye-black messages in support of cancer victims either, this was just a unusual exception.
The league has been aggressive in recent years about banning players from using their gameday appearance to push advocacy, and the notable cases of the league cracking down on awareness-building acts by players is ramping up this year. A source told ESPN that Heyward wore “Tackle” and “Cancer” under his eyes last week because it was a league-approved freebie that was available to players before the game.
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The league persuaded Williams not to go through with it, in part by pointing out that Williams would be forfeiting money that would be given to charities that support former players, not breast cancer awareness or prevention. Heyward said he would no longer put the words on his eye black.
