When thinking of the NFL, epic touchdowns, hard hits, and game-winning plays come to mind—but the league is just as serious about its dress code as it is about football. The NFL has strict uniform rules, and players who don’t follow them can end up with some hefty fines. From Kanye West’s famous Yeezy cleats to flashy watches and certain types of socks, the list of banned items in the NFL is surprising and extensive.
Curious about what gear has been outlawed on the field? Here’s a look at eight items that are officially banned in the NFL—and some might be unexpected!
8. Yeezy Cleats
The Yeezy Cleats Hype Train
Remember when Kanye West took over the fashion world with his Yeezy sneakers? Well, they also found their way onto the football field, thanks to Von Miller and DeAndre Hopkins. Miller sported the trendy Yeezy cleats during a warm-up before a game against the Carolina Panthers in 2016. Meanwhile, Hopkins took it a step further by wearing the cleats during an actual game against the Chicago Bears.
The Ban Hammer Drops
The NFL was quick to react. While Miller got off scot-free since he wore them only for warm-ups, Hopkins wasn’t so lucky. The wide receiver was slapped with a $6,000 fine because the Yeezy cleats didn’t adhere to the league’s uniform policy, which requires a solid base color on shoes. Hopkins even joked that he’d keep wearing them if Kanye West would cover the fines!
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7. Cleats That Don’t Match Team Uniforms
Color Coordination is Key
In the NFL, cleats must match a team’s color scheme. Sounds simple, right? But several players have been fined for daring to step outside the lines. For instance, Chad Ochocinco was hit with a massive $20,000 fine for sporting golden cleats. Bernard Berrian, then playing for the Vikings, wore yellow cleats and had to pay a $5,000 fine.
Odell Beckham Jr.’s Constant Battles
Odell Beckham Jr. is no stranger to controversy when it comes to footwear. In 2019, both he and Jarvis Landry were ordered to change their cleats at halftime or risk being kicked out of the game. Beckham has also been fined for wearing custom Joker-themed cleats and a tribute pair dedicated to the late sports analyst Craig Sager, resulting in a hefty $18,000 fine.
6. Short Pants
The NFL’s uniform policy mandates that players’ pants must cover their knees. Odell Beckham Jr. found himself in trouble again for wearing pants that were a bit too short during a game, leading to a $14,037 fine. OBJ wasn’t alone—Houston Texan Jerry Hughes also got fined, though his penalty was a more modest $5,305.
5. Hard Objects (Yes, That Includes OBJ’s Watch)
OBJ strikes again—this time with a $250,000 Richard Mille watch that caught everyone’s attention when he wore it during a game. Although the NFL doesn’t have a specific rule about jewelry, they do prohibit hard objects, which meant Beckham was asked to ditch the timepiece.
Instead of complying, Beckham doubled down, sporting an even more expensive Richard Mille watch valued at $2 million during warm-ups. Luckily for him, since it wasn’t worn during gameplay, he avoided another fine.
4. Socks That Aren’t High Enough
Apparently, the NFL cares about sock height. During the 2013 NFC Championship Game, San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore was fined $10,500 for not pulling his socks up high enough. In 2020, Pittsburgh Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Schuster was hit with a $5,000 fine for the same offense, alongside his teammate James Conner, who also didn’t meet the league’s sock-height requirements.
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3. Custom Face Masks
Custom face masks might look fierce, but the NFL banned them in 2014 after a study from the University of New Hampshire found that they posed more safety risks than benefits. Despite the ban, a few players were granted medical exemptions, including Justin Tuck and Chris Canty, who were allowed to continue wearing their nonstandard face masks.
One of the more humorous responses came from Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darnell Dockett, who compared himself to Bane from “The Dark Knight Rises” after the league made him swap out his custom mask.
2. Dark-Tinted Helmet Visors and Designs
Clear Is the Way to Go
While it may look cool to wear a dark-tinted visor, the NFL has banned them for safety reasons. Odell Beckham Jr. (surprise, surprise) made headlines in 2019 when he was forced to change his visor before entering a game. The league only allows dark visors if a player has a medical exemption.
Myles Garrett’s Creative Warm-Ups
On a lighter note, Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett showed off some creative visor designs during warm-ups, including nods to Dragon Ball Z and Stranger Things. Since he didn’t wear them during an actual game, he avoided any penalties.
1. Bandanas
In 2001, NFL owners decided to ban bandanas, headbands, and do-rags from being worn under helmets. This ruling came in an effort to create a more uniform look across the league. New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis felt the sting of this rule in 2019 when he was fined $7,017 for wearing a headband under his helmet.
