Despite not playing in his team's loss to the Buffalo Bills on "Monday Night Football," Myles Garrett was still visible at the game, supporting his teammates from the sidelines.
And even though he didn't appear on the field, Garrett was shown on TV, and his choice of attire drew attention. Garrett, 30, wore a black Jumpman tracksuit with teal and blue accents. He sported a Rams cap, but not the Rams' team-issued blue-and-yellow gear.
According to The Athletic's Jonathan Jones, Garrett is a Jordan Brand athlete, but players normally wear the team-issued gear when not playing and in street clothes. Jones reported that the Rams heard from the NFL about Garrett's outfit, but Garrett wasn't fined.
The NFL's compliance policy requires players to display only approved league partners' logos, with other brands' logos covered or removed. The Athletic's Jones suggested that the NFL's handling of Garrett's situation shows a more lenient approach rather than immediately fining him for it.
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However, some fans criticized the NFL's decision not to fine Garrett, suggesting the Rams and their players were receiving special treatment from the league.
"lol or just the Rams players lol. Dropping Alaric suspension to one game. Him and Puka should have been Suspended before that, but it’s the Rams, so," one commenter said.
"Funny how the league 'turns over a new leaf' the second it's a Rams player. The same way Alaric Jackson got off easy. The same way Puka got to be "injured" instead of suspended. Lol," a commenter wrote.
"wtf? really ? Rams get special treatment now? soft league mfers," someone commented.
The NFL's handling of Garrett's situation comes after the league rescinded various fines for player celebrations, including the 49ers' Kyle Juszczyk, who had a juice-chugging celebration that the league thought mimicked him chugging a beer.
It also came as Garrett's teammate, Alaric Jackson, had his suspension reduced to one game after punching the Bills' Bradley Chubb during "Monday Night Football."
The controversy also comes amid a disappointing start for the Rams, who entered the season with high expectations as Super Bowl contenders. So far, three teams have beaten them: the Bills, the Denver Broncos, and the San Francisco 49ers.
The 2-3 Rams host the 1-4 Cardinals on Sunday, Oct. 18, at 4:05 p.m. ET.
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