The NFL has punished Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
“Caleb Williams was fined by the NFL over $11K for his Caddix cleats he wore against the Atlanta Falcons for being in violation of the NFL Uniform and Equipment Rules,” Complex Sneakers reported on X on October 23.
Breaking the story, Kicks On SI’s Pat Benson wrote on October 23, “The NFL’s letter to Williams went on to clarify the exact issue with his seemingly innocuous cleats. ‘Specifically, you displayed an unauthorized logo on your shoes,’ stated the letter. Essentially, Williams’ cleats had Caddix branding, and the brand is not an approved league partner (such as adidas, NIKE, and Under Armour).
“Judging by pictures from last night’s win over the New England Patriots, Williams was back in Caddix cleats for Week 7.”
Per the NFL, a standard fine for a first-time infraction of this kind is typically up to $11,941. A second offense can incur fines as high as $23,882, though all fines are issued at the discretion of the NFL.
Caddix offers “cleats with high tech features for shock absorption & ankle support,” per their official website.
The cleats are “built to reduce injury and boost performance.”
The brand was founded by a former collegiate football player and his father. It features a host of former NFL players as part of its advisory team and brand athletes. The list includes Super Bowl champion Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals teammate Joe Burrow, and more.
Notably, the NFL is supposed to provide players with an opportunity to correct any potential violations before games. It utilizes a crew that includes former players.
For Williams, though, the decision was likely more than a fashion choice.
Bears’ Caleb Williams Doubles Down Amid Punishment From NFL
Williams’ decision to wear the cleats again in Week 7 against the Patriots could draw him another fine. Surely, though, the Bears QB is more concerned with the benefits of the footwear.
“Our SmartStuds™ flex and release under load. Instead of locking the foot in place, SmartStuds™ deform slightly during pivoting and cutting, allowing for quicker stud release from the playing surface. This reduces rotational torque on the knees and ankles without sacrificing the traction athletes need for acceleration and cutting,” Caddix notes.
“By targeting safe rotational stiffness ranges identified in biomechanical research, Caddix cleats strike the balance between performance and protection.”
Williams missed three games (Weeks 3 through 5) due to a hamstring injury.
The relationship to the footwear and is injury, if any, is unclear. He suffered the injury against the Minnesota Vikings at home in Soldier Field. Soldier Field uses natural grass, something Williams is a proponent of. Still, the Caddix cleats are certainly designed to help reduce the risk of injury to the wearer. The only question remaining is whether or not Williams will don the cleats again in Week 8.
Williams and the Bears will be on the road taking on the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on “Monday Night Football.” The Seahawks home field also features artificial turf.
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