Arnold Palmer is one of Western Pennsylvania’s favorite sons. One of her most popular adopted sons right now is Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver Antonio Brown, and he plans to honor Palmer on Sunday Night Football by wearing an image of the golf legend’s face on his cleats.
This comes a week after the league told Brown he had to change his cleats at halftime because they were not the legal color. Though the cleats this week will be black and gold (which are allowed colors), it’s unlikely that the NFL will look too kindly on the other alterations Brown plans to make to his cleats. But it’s likely Brown or Steelers fans won’t care too much.
“Every week, I’m going to try to keep some motivation or put a picture of somebody that means the most to me or inspires me to keep me encouraged,” Brown said. “I’m definitely going to follow the rules in regards to sticking to the team color.” Brown spent time at Palmer’s home this summer.
Brown was not fined for the cleats he wore last week, but was hit with two separate fines for his cleats and touchdown dance in the Steelers Week 1 win at Washington. The fine for a first offense uniform violation is $9,115 and $18,321 for a second. The league could also categorize Arnold Palmer’s face on Brown’s cleats to be a “personal message”, which for a first-time offense costs the offending player $6,076 and $12,154 for a second offense.
“A guy like Arnold, his legacy and what he meant not only to the world, but to Latrobe, to Pennsylvania, his legacy will live on,” Brown said. “An inspiring guy. I’m glad I got a moment to share with him.”
Antonio Brown will do what he thinks is “cool”, and what most of Western Pennsylvania will think is cool, whether the NFL wants to fine him or not.
Here are those cleats, by the way: