The NFL hit two Pittsburgh Steelers players with an unexpected fine that has left fans reeling.
JuJu Smith-Schuster and teammate James Conner were hit with fines of $5,000 this week for wearing their socks too low during the matchup against the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 25. The league’s rule states that players must wear their socks up to the hem of their pants to cover the entirety of their lower leg.
Smith-Schuster shared the news of the fine on his Instagram Stories last night, posting an image of the official letter he received from the league. In the photo, the 23-year-old athlete circled the detail reading: “Specifically, your stockings failed to cover your lower leg.”
In his next store, Smith-Schuster shared an image of a similar note with his teammate James Conner’s name displayed, writing: “Don’t worry y’all, James got fined too.”
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After the news broke of the fines, both Steelers and football fans took to social media to discuss the abnormal topic. Most were confused by the fine, using Twitter to share their thoughts on the NFL’s decision.
I can’t believe the NFL fined Juju and James Connor because theydidn’t have their sock pulled up.
— Audrey Ratajack (@Audrey_Ratajack) November 3, 2020
Juju and Conner got 5k fines each for wearing socks too low EXCUSE ME NFL
— Neke-A-Leek (@40oz_Neke) November 3, 2020
The nfl really fined juju and conner 5K for their socks being to low. The nfl really a joke
— C (7-0) (@c_wells10) November 3, 2020
Other accounts used the moment to spread some humor, writing things like: “JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner were both fined $5,000 for showing too much leg.”
A few other users also drew attention to the fact that another NFL athlete, Marcus Peters of the Baltimore Ravens, tends to wear his socks low as well and has, to public knowledge, never been fined for it.
JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner were both fined $5,000 for showing too much leg. https://t.co/vTOiwn4Dxx
— Taylor Haase (@TaylorHaasePGH) November 3, 2020
How the NFL gonna fine Juju and James Conner for wearin they socks to low and Marcus Peters doesnt wear socks AT ALL😭😭😭
— NVT Spice♨️⚡️ (@nvtspice) November 3, 2020
Juju and James conner got fined for wearing their socks too low. How is Marcus Peters not had a fine for this every single week of his career? I’m not even convinced he wears socks!
— ℕ𝕚𝕔𝕜 𝕆𝕨𝕖𝕟 (@nickofwigan) November 3, 2020
