The NFL may soon fine concussed players for returning to games, even if the players have no recollection of doing it. No such excuse is available to the players who periodically are fined for wearing non-conforming shoes.
Last weekend, Patriots running back Stevan Ridley wore all red shoes during the divisional-round win over the Colts. Via Nick Underhill of MassLive.com, Ridley loses $5,250 as a result of the violation.
It’s not an uncommon outcome, with players willingly donning shoes and other equipment that violates the rules and losing the corresponding chunk of change from their subsequent check.
If Ridley does it again this weekend, the fine will double. Eventually, he’ll be prevented from playing with the shoes.
That’s right. They’ll take responsibility for keeping a guy with the wrong shoes off the field, but not a guy who may have a concussion.