Brandon Marshall, Earl Bennett Fined $10K For Wearing Orange Cleats

Chicago Bears receivers Brandon Marshall and Earl Bennett were each hit with a $10,500 fine for wearing bright orange cleats during the team’s 13-7 win over the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football, ESPN is reporting.

ESPN notes that even though the vibrant footwear matched one of the Bears’ official colors, the orange cleats violated the NFL’s uniform code that all players are made well aware of in advance.

After levying the hefty fines on both athletes, the NFL defended their actions, citing the fact that both Bennett and Marshall fall under the rules of “repeat offenders.”

According to SB Nation, Bennett, a fifth-year player out of Vanderbilt, was fined twice in the 2011 season for donning the orange kicks.

At the time, he was told if he offended for a third straight week, he faced possible ejection. The shoes stayed in the locker room for the remainder of the season.

Following Monday’s incident and the subsequent fine, Bennett said it was Marshall who put him up to wearing the orange shoes on Monday.

“I wasn’t sure if I was going to wear them,” Bennett said. “Then Brandon Marshall was like, ‘let’s wear them.’ So I just put them on. I probably wouldn’t have worn them if he wouldn’t have agreed to it.”

Marshall violated the NFL uniform policy this season during a game in Denver.

NBC Chicago reports that both Bennett and Marshall don’t agree with the NFL and are appealing the fine.

Readers chime in: Do you think NFL players should be allowed to wear any color cleats they choose?