Caleb Williams Cleats: The Bears QB Won't Cover the Caddix Logo, and His NFL Fines Now Total $35,823
A source close to Williams says it is a matter of principle: he believes the cleats are safer, the league says only three brands' logos may show, and Monday night in Seattle is the next test.
Caleb Williams is not backing down. The Chicago Bears quarterback has been warned by the NFL and fined a total of $35,823 over the past two weeks for wearing his Caddix cleats with the company's logo visible, and a source close to Williams told NFL Network that his refusal to cover the logo — to 'spat' the cleats, in locker-room terms — is a matter of principle, TSN reported on Sunday, with ESPN's Courtney Cronin contributing. Williams believes in the cleats and wants to spread the word, the source said.
The cleats are the product of a relatively new brand also worn by some 40 other NFL players. Caddix says its SmartStuds technology reduces the rotational torque transmitted through the foot into the knees and ankles, resulting in fewer injuries. A long-standing league policy, however, prohibits players from displaying nonapproved logos on their cleats: only three NFL-approved logos — Adidas, Nike and Under Armour — may be shown. Players can wear other brands, but the logos must be covered. Williams has refused. Both Joe Flacco, an investor in Caddix, and the company's chief executive, Jack Rasmussen, have offered to pay the fines. 'Caddix isn't in a position to tell players how to wear our products, especially when players purchased them themselves,' Rasmussen told NFL Network.
Neither Williams nor his father Carl is a representative or an investor in the company, according to a Caddix spokesperson — the relationship began when Williams's quarterback trainer called the company last year to say the quarterback was interested in trying the cleats. Bears coach Ben Johnson was asked on Saturday about the possibility of the league flagging Chicago or not letting Williams play with the logo visible. 'He's all about the team, and I know he's not going to hurt the team,' Johnson responded.
Chicago fans have seen this film before. In 1985, during the Bears' magical Super Bowl run, Jim McMahon — the original 'Punky QB' — wore an Adidas headband and was fined $5,000 by Commissioner Pete Rozelle; the following week McMahon famously wore a headband with 'ROZELLE' written on it. Whether Williams writes a sequel will be visible soon enough: the Bears, 30-24 winners over New England in their last outing, play at Seattle on Monday night.
