Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward was fined by the NFL for writing the words Iron Head in his eye black, in tribute to his late father and former NFL player Cameron “Ironhead” Hayward who died after a battle with cancer in 2006.
According to the NFL’s uniform policy, players are forbidden from “wearing, displaying, or otherwise conveying personal messages either in writing or illustration, unless such message has been approved in advance by the League office”. This includes any personal messages to “commemorate individuals”.
It is understandable why the NFL has prohibited certain personal messages from being on display during games, but with October being the month that the league as designated for breast cancer awareness, it is perplexing that they would not approve of a player paying tribute to a family member who died of cancer or any other illness.
Violation of the uniform policy carries a $5,787 fine for a first-time offender.
