NFL Star Fined After Wearing Cleats to Support Mental Illness Awareness
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David Banks/Getty Images(CHICAGO) — Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall will pay a fine for violating the National Football League’s uniform policy after he wore bright green cleats during a game with the New York Giants, according to ESPN.com. Marshall wore the custom-made lime green cleats on Thursday to support Mental Illness Awareness Week.
Although many football players are allowed by the NFL to wear pink during October to raise awareness for breast cancer, Marshall’s green cleats were not approved.
The NFL has strict uniform guidelines that can mean fines or even expulsion for a player who refuses to wear approved uniforms correctly. However, the NFL agreed that Marshall could play in the green shoes as long as he paid a fine.
“I’m going to get fined and I’m going to match that [fine],” Marshall told ESPN.com. “We’re still working on the details to give, really give back to an organization that is doing work in the mental health area.”
In 2011, Marshall announced he had been diagnosed with borderline bipolar disorder. After the announcement, he started the Brandon Marshall Foundation, which aims to raise awareness for mental illness and help those in need gain access to mental health resources.
After Thursday’s game Marshall took to Twitter to explain his thoughts on the fine.
“The money the league will fine me is nothing compared to the awareness raised tonight,” Marshall wrote on his Twitter.
Michael J. Fitzpatrick, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has released a statement praising Marshall for his actions.
“NAMI applauds Brandon Marshall’s leadership in raising public awareness about…mental illness,” said Fitzpatrick.
After the game, the bright green shoes didn’t end up buried in Marshall’s gym bag. He is auctioning them off to raise money for his foundation. If you’re interested in taking to the field in lime green cleats, the current price is $2,000.
Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio