Caleb Williams is making it clear that he isn't ready to give up his preferred cleats, even with the NFL continuing to penalize him for wearing them. The Chicago Bears quarterback has already accumulated more than $35,000 in fines, but the issue appears to go beyond footwear. Williams believes in the Caddix cleats and is standing by his choice despite the league's uniform requirements.
According to ESPN's Ian Rapoport, Williams' refusal to cover the Caddix logo is a matter of principle.
In his report for ESPN, Rapoport also compared Williams' stance to former Bears quarterback Jim McMahon, who famously challenged the NFL's uniform rules during Chicago's memorable 1985 season.
The league only permits visible logos from its approved footwear partners: Nike, Adidas and Under Armour. Players can still wear other brands, but they must conceal their logos during games. Williams has chosen not to do so, resulting in fines of $11,941 in Week 6 and another $23,882 in Week 7.
Williams prefers Caddix because of its SmartStuds technology, which the company claims helps reduce rotational force on the knees and ankles. The quarterback has emphasized that staying healthy and available for his teammates is his priority.
Article Continues BelowCaddix CEO Jack Rasmussen has offered to pay Williams' fines, while company investor and fellow cleat user Joe Flacco has made the same offer.
Jim McMahon once responded to a $5,000 fine for wearing an Adidas headband by displaying NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle's name on it. Whether Williams takes his protest any further remains to be seen, but the comparison has added another chapter to the Bears' history of unconventional quarterback personalities.