EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe "Punky QB" known as Caleb Williams is at it again, vowing to not only wear his banned cleats that he believes are safer but also refusing to cover up the logo.His iconoclastic actions call back to another great Chicago Bears quarterback, Jim McMahon, whose famous battles with the NFL was a major storyline prior to and during Super Bowl XX.Williams has been warned by the NFL and fined a total of $35,823 by the league over the past two weeks. As one source close to Williams explained, it's a matter of principle more than anything. Williams believes in his cleats and wants to spread the word.Famously, Williams is wearing Caddix cleats, a relatively new brand also by 40 or so other NFL players. The company says their "SmartStuds" technology, reducing rotational torque transmitted through the foot and into the knees and ankles, results in fewer injuries.Why is Williams refusing to "spat" or tape over the logo in accordance with NFL rules? It's unclear, but he is."Caddix isn't in a position to tell players how to wear our products, especially when players purchased them themselves," Caddix CEO Jack Rasmussen told NFL Network. "I certainly can't explain why he won't tape over them either."Neither WIlliams, nor his father Carl, is a representative or investor in the company, according to a Caddix spokesperson. In fact, the relationship appears to have happened organically."His QB trainer called us last year and said Caleb was interested in trying them," Rasmussens said. "We talked for months about the cleats and trying different models, so I flew down to Jacksonville, met Caleb, made him show me what he wanted in a cleat and figured out what he needed. It took us two more iterations to find one he liked."A long-standing league policy prohibits players from displaying non-approved logos on their cleats, as players are allowed to show three NFL-approved logos: Adidas, Nike, and Under Armour. Players can wear other cleats, but the logos must be covered. Williams has refused.Both Joe Flacco, an investor in Caddix, and Rasmussen have offered to pay the fines. It all calls back to the period in 1985 during Chicago's magical run, when McMahon, nicknamed the "Punky QB," wore an Adidas headband and got fined $5,000 by NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle.Next week, McMahon's "ROZELLE" headline was the stuff of legends. Time will tell if Williams continues to turn back the clock.
