The National Football League fined Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, but not for performance enhancing drugs or an arrest. He was fined for simply paying tribute to his father, who died from cancer, on his eye black tape.
Heyward revealed that he received the fine on Twitter today, following the Steelers’ Monday night win against the Chargers. He wrote “Iron Head” on the tape, honoring his father Craig Heyward, who played in the NFL for 11 years and died in 2006 at age 39.
“Got fined for honoring my Dad who bravely fought cancer on my eye black. #Nevergiveup #CancerSucks,” Heyward wrote.
According to ESPN, Heyward was fined $5,787 and will appeal.
Heyward isn’t the only Steelers player who has run into some trouble with the NFL over trying to pay tribute to their family. Running back DeAngelo Williams told ESPN that he wanted to wear pink accessories during the entire 2015 season, instead of just during October, to honor his mother, who died of breast cancer. However, the NFL wouldn’t let him do that, so he decided to dye the tips of his hair pink.
“It's not just about October for me; it's not just a month, it's a lifestyle. It's about getting women to recognize to get tested,” Williams told ESPN.