San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa flashed a “Make America Great Again” hat during a postgame interview on October 27, which led to conservatives heralding him as an election hero. Bosa was fined $11,255 for the stunt, but Trump supporters celebrated him for his actions. Elon Musk, a valuable ally of Trump, responded to news of Bosa’s fine with a post on X, showing his support for the defensive end. Musk had poured at least $130 million into Trump’s campaign effort after an assassination attempt on the former president, focusing on battleground Pennsylvania. Many other NFL fans on social media also showed their support for Bosa, with one stating that standing for what’s right is always worth the cost.
Amidst the praise, there were also critics of Bosa for wearing the pro-Trump hat during the interview. Some criticized him for declining to elaborate on his stance when asked about the hat after the game, calling him a coward for not explaining further. However, Bosa himself had no regrets about his decision, stating that it was “well worth it” before being fined. The NFL rulebook prohibits political expression without league approval, indicating that Bosa’s actions could have been considered a violation of this rule. Bosa has been a longtime supporter of President-elect Trump, even going as far as scrubbing his X account of Trump posts and criticism of Colin Kaepernick before entering the NFL to avoid backlash from the city of San Francisco.
Former Chicago Bears great Brian Urlacher supported Bosa by commenting “MAGA” and two American flags on Bosa’s Instagram post showing the moment he wore the Trump cap. On the other hand, California State Assembly speaker Robert Rivas called for Bosa to be traded, expressing his disapproval of the player’s actions. Bosa is not the only vocal Trump supporter in the league, as Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker also endorsed Trump earlier in the year. Patrick Mahomes, the star quarterback for the Chiefs, did not officially endorse a candidate, but his mother openly supported Trump, as evidenced by his wife Brittany Mahomes liking posts in support of Trump on social media.
Overall, Bosa’s decision to don the MAGA hat led to a mix of both support and criticism from fans, fellow players, and politicians. Despite facing a fine for his actions and being called a coward by some critics, Bosa stood by his decision and continued to express his support for President-elect Trump. His defiance of the NFL rules regarding political expression without approval also created a debate on free speech rights for players. The incident highlighted the political divide within the league and among fans, with some fully backing Bosa’s actions while others calling for consequences such as trade or reprimand. The support from prominent figures like Elon Musk and Brian Urlacher, as well as the backlash from politicians like Robert Rivas, showcased the impact of athletes’ political statements in today’s society.
