The NFL has always been rather rigid about its rules and regulations, especially when it comes to uniform guidelines. As a result, whenever any player violates said guidelines, the fine is hefty and immediate.
Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles, despite a 10-game winning streak for his team, found out the hard way. While the team continues to dominate their opponents, drama continues to swirl. However, with their star QB on the receiving end of the fine, fans of the player and the team weren’t going to sit down quietly.
Eagles Fans Unhappy With Verdict on Jalen Hurts
Tom Pelissero brought the scoop on his X profile. “Two shoes, one fine: The NFL docked #Eagles QB Jalen Hurts $5,628 for violating the league’s uniform and equipment rules in Sunday’s win over Pittsburgh, per source. Officially, Hurts’ fine was for wearing a shoe color that’s not one of the Eagles’ ‘Constitutional team colors.'”
Two shoes, one fine: The NFL docked #Eagles QB Jalen Hurts $5,628 for violating the league’s uniform and equipment rules in Sunday’s win over Pittsburgh, per source.
Officially, Hurts’ fine was for wearing a shoe color that’s not one of the Eagles’ “Constitutional team colors”. pic.twitter.com/aPkTy8sXsV
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 20, 2024
Fans were understandably upset, citing the situation as the league not being enjoyable. “NO FUN LEAGUE” comments made the rounds, while others were questioning the duplicity from the league.
Even though Hurts got a fine for his shoe, A.J. Brown being supposedly hip-drop tackled (a banned move in the league) was a bigger source of contention for them.
NO FUN LEAGUE
— CH (@Christ0f3r__) December 20, 2024
“Has there been a fine on AJs ‘apparently banned’ hip drop tackle yet or is fashion higher up on the priority list?”
Has there been a fine on AJs “apparently banned” hip drop tackle yet or is fashion higher up on the priority list?
— | myke | 🦅 (@PhillyTruthr) December 20, 2024
For some, the move was especially petty considering the NFL was posting pictures of the quarterback before the game, mismatched shoes and all. “Didn’t the NFL literally post a pic of him with the shoes pregame? joke of a league.”
didn’t the NFL literally post a pic of him with the shoes pregame ? joke of a league.
— s (@s_dot____) December 20, 2024
Seeing all the backlash, Pelissero had to follow up on his original message, explaining the exact rule that was violated. “The rulebook says: ‘A player may wear shoes that are black, white, or any Constitutional team color, or any combination of black, white, and a Constitutional team color.’ Hurts said the shoes he was supposed to wear didn’t come in. Will he use this look again? ‘We’ll see.'”
The rulebook says: “A player may wear shoes that are black, white, or any Constitutional team color, or any combination of black, white, and a Constitutional team color.”
Hurts said the shoes he was supposed to wear didn’t come in. Will he use this look again? “We’ll see.” https://t.co/vlNTdZuXQn
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 20, 2024
Once again, comments called the league “soft” and “no fun,” while others once again pointed out the NFL using the two-shoe deal as a marketing device earlier but turning around and later penalizing it.
NFL is soft asf
— WestTexasMarine (@WestTexasMarine) December 20, 2024
Some even took exception to the fine itself, claiming that the kelly green that Hurts had on was a part of Philadelphia’s color scheme. The throwback jerseys for them, last worn in Week 9 and scheduled to make an appearance in Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys, are in the same shade as Hurts’ shoe. As a result, the fans weren’t going to take it quietly.
Isn’t that light green one of their colors? For their throwbacks?
— Tony Hite (@TonyHiteNFL) December 20, 2024
With the internal drama the team was going through between head coach Nick Sirianni, Brown, and Hurts himself, fans would be happy to have outside problems define their season. After all the commotion, the team had one of its more impressive victories of the year over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
If the 27-13 score were anything to go by, fans would be ecstatic if the team could keep similar composure going forward, especially in the face of adversity — internal or external.