After taking a rough 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs the week prior, this win bumped the 49ers up to second place in the NFC West.
However, after San Francisco’s primetime defeat over Dallas in Week 8, defensive end Nick Bosa’s political stunt stole the attention away from the team.
While NBC’s Melissa Stark interviewed Brock Purdy, George Kittle and Isaac Guerendo on the field at Levi’s Stadium, Bosa interrupted their chat to flash a gold-and-white “Make America Great Again” hat.
Bosa appeared to clearly violate Rule 5, Article 4, Section 8 of the NFL rulebook which prohibits players from “wearing, displaying, or otherwise conveying personal messages… which relate to political activities or causes.”
This rules remains in effect “throughout the period on game day that a player is visible to the stadium and television audience (including in pregame warm-ups, in the bench area, and during postgame interviews in the locker room or on the field).” On Nov. 1, the NFL announced they were investigating Bosa’s MAGA stunt, and made a decision about his punishment.
CBS’ NFL insider Jonathan Jones posted, “The NFL is looking into Nick Bosa wearing a MAGA hat Sunday postgame. There will not be a determination on any potential fine until later next week. I’m told there is no consideration for any potential suspension.” While Bosa will not be forced to miss any games, he may face a financial fine.
Jones added, “The NFL does have a rule on the books prohibiting players from, among other things, wearing or displaying messages ‘which relate to political activities or causes.’ Based on the timeline from a source, appears if any punishment for Bosa comes, it will be after Election Day.”
Considering the 27-year-old signed a five-year, $170 million contract extension with 49ers in 2023, it’s unlikely that he’s sweating a potential financial penalty. San Francisco is on a bye in Week 9. Next up, the 49ers play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 10.
Tackling Costs: Flannigan-Fowles Fined More Than $10K Following 49ers’ Win Over Cowboys!”
Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles’ bank account took a hit during the 49ers’ bye week.
The NFL fined Flannigan-Fowles $10,750 for a hit he delivered while leading with his helmet in the 49ers’ Week 8 win over the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium.
Per NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco and Jennifer Lee Chan, the league assessed an unnecessary roughness penalty on Flannigan-Fowles while levying the fine Saturday.
Flannigan-Fowles was not penalized for unnecessary roughness during the game.
Late in the first quarter of the 49ers’ 30-24 win, Flannigan-Fowles was part of a tackle on a punt return by Cowboys wide receiver KaVontae Turpin, and San Francisco’s linebacker appeared to launch at Turpin with the crown of his helmet.
No penalty flag was thrown on the field but a scuffle ensued between 49ers and Cowboys players, leading to offsetting dead-ball unnecessary roughness infractions on San Francisco linebacker Fred Warner and Dallas wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who both came onto the field as the teams transitioned from special teams units to defense and offense, respectively.