NFL to fine Cameron Hayward $11,576 for honouring his late father

The league makes no exceptions to its uniform policy

(Don Wright/Associated Press)

Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward has worn eye black that reads: “Ironhead.”

The simple yet touching gesture honours his late father Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, 39, who spent 11 years playing in the NFL and died from bone cancer in 2006. Unfortunately, the NFL refuses to tolerate such an extreme act of rebellion.

The first time Mr Heyward paid tribute to his father, he was fined exactly $5,787 or violating the league’s uniform policy, ESPN reports.

This time around, Heyward faces an $11,576 fine, Fox Sports reported. The league makes no exceptions when it comes to players following their uniform policy.

"The League will not grant permission for any club or player to wear, display, or otherwise convey messages, through helmet decals, arm bands, jersey patches, or other items affixed to game uniforms or equipment, which relate to political activities or causes, other non-football events, causes or campaigns, or charitable causes or campaigns," the league rulebook reads.

The NFL previously denied a similar request from his Steelers teammate DeAngelo Williams, who wanted to wear pink year-round to honour four aunts and his late mother who all died fighting breast cancer. However, Deadspin reports that the NFL had no problem parading his mother around while she was alive.

"The Carolina Panthers, Williams’s former team, brought Sandra Hill out before games in past Octobers, making her part of pregame ceremonies. When she died, though, the only person in the organization to attend her funeral was defensive end Greg Hardy."