Titans Player Avery Williamson Wants to Wear Cleats Honoring 9/11 Victims But NFL Won't Let Him

Titans linebacker Avery Williamson wanted to wear cleats to honor and raise money for 9/11 victims, but the NFL isn't allowing it.

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The ridiculousness of the National Football League strikes again!

Tennessee Titans linebacker Avery Williamson was planning on wearing cleats honoring the victims of Sept. 11 during his team's Week 1 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, but the NFL reportedly won't allow it. Williamson wanted to auction off the cleats and donate the money to Wishes for Warriors, a charity which helps veterans "return hope and passion back into their lives...through therapeutic outdoor adventures."  

When the NFL caught wind of Williamson's plan, a league representative contacted him to let him know that he would be fined for wearing the cleats and violating uniform code. “I don’t want to draw negative attention, so I’m just going to focus on playing the game,” Williamson told the Tennessean. “Once I heard from them, I didn’t even try to argue anything. I just left it alone. I didn’t want to press the issue.” 

Williamson has since altered his initiative, opting to auction off the 9/11-themed shoes he plans on wearing to the stadium, in addition to a number of other prizes. However, the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association, along with the New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association, have informed the Tennessean that they will pay the fine handed down by the NFL if he wears the cleats.  

This isn't the first time the NFL has fined a player over footwear intended to raise awareness about a worthwhile cause. Last season, the league fined Josh Norman for his cleats, which honored his grandfather who was a veteran, as well as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback William Gay for the purple cleats he wore to try and bring attention to Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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