Caleb Williams Defies Fines as Bengals QB Offers to Help Pay

WHO:

Yahoo Sports - Caleb Williams is the Chicago Bears quarterback who wore Caddix cleats; he said he intends to keep wearing them.

Yahoo Sports - Caddix CEO Jack Rasmussen reportedly offered to pay Williams’ fines.

Yahoo Sports - Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco, who has worn Caddix cleats, told ESPN he was willing to pay Williams’ fine the next time the NFL issued one.

Pro Football Network - Flacco’s offer to cover Williams’ Caddix fines prompted discussion among NFL fans about league branding rules, player safety, and Caddix publicity.

WHAT:

Yahoo Sports - Williams was fined $11,941 for displaying an “unauthorized logo” on his cleats during the Bears’ win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Heavy NFL - The NFL fined Williams $23,882 for wearing cleats with an “unauthorized logo” in a Bears win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Yahoo Sports - Williams said he planned to wear the cleats for the rest of the season despite the fines.

Yahoo Sports - Williams said, “I'm huge into my body. I'm huge into trying to stay on the field. I'm huge into trying to be healthy,” and called football “a rough game.”

Yahoo Sports - Williams said that reducing wear and tear consistently over a long career or year could improve a player’s chance of staying healthy.

Heavy NFL - The article reported that Williams continued wearing the cleats after being fined.

Pro Football Network - The article described Flacco as a Super Bowl MVP and a Caddix investor.

WHERE:

Yahoo Sports - Williams wore the cleats during games for the Chicago Bears.

Heavy NFL - The fine was for wearing the cleats in a Bears game.

WHY:

Yahoo Sports - Williams said he believed in the cleats’ science and wanted to reduce physical wear and tear and stay healthy.

Yahoo Sports - Caddix cleats are designed to help reduce ACL and ankle injuries.

HOW:

Yahoo Sports - The cleats’ studs rotate and release on the playing surface; the NFL prohibits displaying Caddix’s logo because the company has no deal with the league.

Yahoo Sports - Williams wore the cleats throughout the preseason and in the Bears’ first two games before a hamstring injury; images showed him wearing them again against the New England Patriots.

Yahoo Sports - Williams did not have an endorsement deal with Caddix.

Yahoo Sports - The article said that, as of Thursday, Williams had not publicly acknowledged receiving another fine after wearing the cleats against New England.

Yahoo Sports - Caddix cleats were also worn by other players; Complex compiled a list of players who used them.

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams plans to keep wearing Caddix cleats despite NFL fines for unauthorized logos. He says their rotating studs may reduce wear and tear, helping players stay healthy. Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco offered to pay Williams’ next fine, spotlighting league branding rules.