Rams Kicker Matt Gay Mocks NFL Over ‘$5k Pant Length Fine’
Sep 16, 2022, 2:37 PM
Matt Gay #8 of the Los Angeles Rams kicks a field goal during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former Utah Utes and current Los Angeles Rams kicker Matt Gay mocked the NFL’s requirement for pant length and implied he was fined $5,000 by the league.
On Friday, September 16, Gay scorned the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell with a tweet featuring multiple photos of him wearing his Rams uniform. In one of the pictures, Gay jokingly apologized for having his leg show, which goes contrary to the league’s pant length requirement.
In addition to tagging the commissioner, Gay tagged the league’s Twitter account and former NFL punter turned media personality Pat McAfee.
“How to dress as a kicker in the @NFL per @nflcommish to avoid a $5k pant length fine. Thanks guys now I feel safe and can do my job super well 👍🏼 sorry my third pic I’m showing leg skin #fined,” the former Utah standout posted on Twitter.
How to dress as a kicker in the @NFL per @nflcommish to avoid a $5k pant length fine. Thanks guys now I feel safe and can do my job super well 👍🏼 sorry my third pic I’m showing leg skin #fined @PatMcAfeeShow @BleacherReport @barstoolsports pic.twitter.com/844tSnbqoE
— Matt Gay (@MGtweetymonster) September 16, 2022
RELATED STORIES
“A player’s appearance on the field conveys a message regarding the image of the league and directly affects the league’s reputation and success,” the NFL’s Game Operations Manual states.
The league also requires that “stockings must be white from the top of the shoe to midcalf and an approved team color from midcalf to the bottom of the pant leg, which must be pulled down below the knee.”
Gay’s tweet implies that he violated the rule during Week 1 and was “#fined” $5,000 for the error.
Two of the kicker’s teammates came to Gay’s defense that the league’s requirement was “a joke.”
“Nah they forreal want all of us to wear the uniform this way,” Rams defensive back Jalen Ramsey responded.
Nah they forreal want all of us to wear the uniform this way 😂… shid is a joke lol https://t.co/IqRAlW60hD
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) September 16, 2022
“I was literally about to post this. Of all the things to take a stance on they want to die on THIS hill,” Rams DB David Long Jr. added.
I was literally about to post this. Of all the things to take a stance on they want to die on THIS hill. https://t.co/6VmDyKARzl
— johnny vulture. (@davidlongjr) September 16, 2022
Shortly after Gay’s tweet was posted, Houston Texans defensive end Jerry Hughes shared that he was fined $5,000 for not having his pants “over the entire knee area” during Week 1.
out here fighting for a W!!! But y'all want me to focus on how my pants are riding up. $5k🤬 pic.twitter.com/IHuyDJ4k7H
— Jerry hughes Jr (@Iam_jerryhughes) September 16, 2022
Gay and the Rams suffered a 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills in their season opener. The ex-Utah standout was 1/1 on field goals (made from 57 yards) and 1/1 on PATs.
With the result, the Rams dropped to an 0-1 record to start the season.
Los Angeles’ next game is at home against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 18 at 2:05 p.m. (MDT) on FOX.
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com and co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
