Caleb Williams keeps wearing unauthorized Caddix cleats as NFL fines hit $35,823
The Bears QB refuses to cover the logo on his Caddix cleats despite two league fines, calling it a matter of health and principle.
What to know
- Caleb Williams has been fined a combined $35,823 by the NFL for wearing Caddix cleats with an unauthorized, uncovered logo.
- Only Nike, Adidas and Under Armour are NFL-authorized footwear brands; players wearing other brands must cover the logo, which Williams refuses to do.
- Williams has appealed at least one fine, with a hearing scheduled for Nov. 10; Caddix CEO Jack Rasmussen and investor Joe Flacco have offered to cover the fines.
- Bears coach Ben Johnson suggests Williams may ultimately have to cover the logo or switch cleats since the league can bar him from playing.
“As we've known for the past couple of years now, I'm huge into my body. I'm huge into trying to stay on the field. I'm huge into trying to be healthy.”
Caleb Williams, Bears quarterback · ESPN via Yahoo Sports ↗ · Oct 30
Caleb Williams Chicago Bears quarterbackJack Rasmussen Caddix founder and CEO
Joe Flacco NFL quarterback and Caddix investorNFL League officeBen Johnson Chicago Bears head coach
How it unfolded 5 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts
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5
Ben Johnson suggests Williams will have to give in
Bears head coach Ben Johnson indicated Williams will likely need to cover the Caddix logo or switch cleats going forward, since the NFL can bar him from playing otherwise.
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first by Yahoo Sports, 9d ago
1 more headline
- Why Tom Brady believes Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson Bears pairing is match made in heaven Yahoo Sports · 8d ago
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1 outlet first by Sports Illustrated, 10d ago · read ↗
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Pro Football Talk: Caleb Williams has arrived as a top-tier QB, in the same class as Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Joe Burrow.
2 more of the top 3 · 10 posts in this stretch
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I see an athletic difference. And Caleb creates more highlights. But in terms of actually running an offense and diagnosing a defense pre-snap, Goff is better and has a longer track record. Goff has proven he can run a great offense under several different OC's. Caleb sucked until Ben Johnson came around. Caleb is also bottom 3 in the league in…
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By no metric besides rushing yards is Caleb better than love. He’s got potential upside for sure but he isn’t there yet Caleb has a better oline and run game and still isn’t better than love
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Caddix CEO and Flacco offer to cover Williams's fines
Caddix CEO Jack Rasmussen, speaking to NFL Network, said he can't explain Williams's refusal to tape over the logo, and noted both he and Caddix investor Joe Flacco have offered to pay the fines; commentators compared Williams to Bears' 1985 "Punky QB" Jim McMahon.
“Caddix isn't in a position to tell players how to wear our products, especially when players purchased them themselves. I certainly can't explain why he won't tape over them either.”
— Jack Rasmussen -
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# Bears QB Caleb Williams has taken a stance, refusing to spat his custom cleats out of principle. It all brings back memories of another iconoclast punky QB. My story: https://www. espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/503433 12/source-caleb-williams-spat-cleats-principle https://www. espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/503433 12/source-caleb-williams-spat-cleats-principle
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Source says Williams won't cover cleats "out of principle"
A source told NFL Network/ESPN that Williams believes in the Caddix cleats and will continue refusing to spat (cover) the logo despite mounting fines and NFL warnings.
“I think that makes sense. ... I don't agree with it. But I think down the road, you know, hiding the logo is kind of one of the ... numerous options that we have to remedy the situation.”
— Jack Rasmussen, Caddix founder and CEO · source -
first by Yahoo Sports, 9d ago · also Chicago Sun-Times, Forbes, USA Today, Complex
4 more headlines
- Bears QB Caleb Williams taking a stand with Caddix cleats Yahoo Sports · 9d ago
- Bears notebook: QB Caleb Williams wears logo-less Caddix cleats vs. Seahawks to avoid more trouble with NFL Chicago Sun-Times · 9d ago
- Caddix Cleats Making Name In NFL As Caleb Williams Fined For Logo Forbes · 8d ago
- Caleb Williams won't stop wearing Caddix cleats. Why Bears QB continues to be fined USA Today · 8d ago
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1 outlet first by TSN, 10d ago · read ↗
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- 1 day quiet
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1
NFL hits Williams with a second fine, totaling $35,823
The league fined Williams an additional $23,882 for wearing the unauthorized Caddix logo in Week 7, bringing his total fines to nearly $36,000; Caddix CEO Jack Rasmussen said covering the logo to avoid further fines would be practical even though he disagrees with the rule.
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first by Front Office Sports, 11d ago · also Yahoo Sports, Bleacher Report, WBAL-TV
3 more headlines
- Patriots DE Hit With NFL Punishment Over Hit on Bears QB Caleb Williams Yahoo Sports · 11d ago
- Bears' Caleb Williams Reportedly 'Refusing to Cover' Logo on Custom Cleats Despite NFL Warning, Fine Bleacher Report · 10d ago
- Caddix Cleats founder offers to pay Caleb Williams' NFL fine WBAL-TV · 10d ago
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Williams vows to keep wearing the cleats despite the fine
Williams told ESPN he will not cover the Caddix logo and plans to keep wearing the cleats, citing the health and injury-prevention benefits he says they provide.
“I'm focused on my health. I'm focused on being able to be out here for the guys. And if that can give me a small percentage up and it works, then that's what I'm going to do.”
— Caleb Williams -
1 outlet first by Yahoo Sports, 12d ago · read ↗
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background
NFL fines Williams $11,941 for Caddix logo in Week 6 — The league fined Williams for displaying an unauthorized Caddix logo on his cleats during the Bears' Week 6 win over the Falcons; Caddix lacks an NFL footwear partnership.
Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
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5 outlets Caleb Williams cleats controversy, explained: Why Bears QB defied NFL after fine over Caddix brand
first by Sporting News, 9d ago · also Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, ESPN NFL, ESPN
5 more headlines
- Caleb Williams Cleats Controversy, Explained: Why Bears QB, NFL Are at Odds Over Footwear Sports Illustrated · 9d ago
- Caleb Williams Wears Cleats With No Visible Logos After NFL Fines Yahoo Sports · 8d ago
- Bears QB Caleb Williams blacks out logo on cleats, says he wants 'to calm things down' after risking $12,000 in NFL fines Yahoo Sports · 8d ago
- Cleats, controversy and the choice of Bears QB Caleb Williams ESPN NFL · 8d ago
- Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams Covers Unauthorized Logo on Cleats After Thousands of Dollars in Fines amid Controversy Yahoo Sports · 8d ago
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first by Yahoo Sports, 8d ago · also Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Sun-Times
4 more headlines
- Caleb Williams Goes Viral for Fiery Sideline Moment in Bears' Win Over Seahawks Newsweek · 8d ago
- Caleb Williams Explains Reason Behind Cleats Change for Bears-Seahawks Week 8 Game Sports Illustrated · 8d ago
- How Bears QB Caleb Williams masters 'elaborate gameplan' vs. Seahawks Chicago Sun-Times · 8d ago
- Bears QB Caleb Williams Receives High Praise From Tom Brady, Russell Wilson After Seahawks Win Yahoo Sports · 8d ago
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first by Yahoo Sports, 8d ago · also NBC Sports
1 more headline
- Caleb Williams has arrived as a top-tier quarterback NBC Sports · 8d ago
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2 outlets 'On his way': Skip Bayless makes a mid-game prediction about Caleb Williams during Seahawks vs Bears
first by Yahoo Sports, 8d ago · also Chicago Sun-Times
1 more headline
- Bears QB Caleb Williams: 'I want to make these fans extremely proud' Chicago Sun-Times · 8d ago
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2 outlets New Report Reveals Nearly 100 NFL Players Wearing the Cleats That Cost Caleb Williams $36,000
first by Yahoo Sports, 9d ago · also Sporting News
1 more headline
- Caleb Williams incident leads to Patriots player punishment from the NFL Sporting News · 9d ago
and 13 smaller pieces
What people are saying 7 voices from 1 site · best of 11 · verbatim
- Nov 4
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I mean that *was* a nice pass to make sure it was not tipped or INT by the defender (forgetting who right now), but that is 99% Kalif on that showing wheels I didn't know unc had.
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Or Jordan Love, who is going toe to toe with Caleb currently and carrying out offence.
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Yeah as someone who has caleb in fantasy, I know Ben johnson is a terrorist to me
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And what is known about him is that he shrinks in big moments in the playoffs. Lol smh Goff played well when we went to the nfccg for that entire playoff run
- Nov 3
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I didn’t say that. I said there is not much difference between Bryce and Caleb. I hate the capital we gave the bears for the #1 pick.
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Shedeur looked awful last season, how is that a hit? 56% passer rating 7:10 td:int ratio, and a passer rating of 68
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Oh 100% All the physical talent in the world means nothing if you can't read a defense, make quick decisions, and place the ball accurately.