Article bashing Nick Bosa for MAGA hat was ‘watered down’ version of major media, says writer

NFL columnist Jim Trotter wrote a column criticizing the NFL and San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa for wearing a MAGA hat on live TV after his team defeated the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. However, he says his column did not hit Bosa as hard as he wanted.

Trotter wrote that the published version of his column was a “watered down” version, saying his original draft did not meet The journalistic standards New York Times-owned by sports news, The Athletic.

“Full disclosure, this is the watered down version of the original column. I was not allowed, IMO, to properly contextualize the meaning and implications of the moment because, I was told, I would be violating the NYT’s journalistic standards. about sports and political commentary, but that’s a discussion for another day,” Trotter wrote in response to a post on X sharing his column.

Trotter later corrected himself.

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San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Nick Bosa after a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, October 6, 2024. (Kelley L Cox/Imagn Images)

“Correction: I should have called it a violation of The Athletic’s journalistic standards and not the NYT’s journalistic standards,” Trotter wrote.

The published version of Trotter’s column contained multiple passages critical of Bosa, and the writer suggested Bosa should face disciplinary action for the stunt.

“Many could not concentrate on the message because of the messenger. I hope the same mistake is not made with Bosa. His actions are are actions. His personal beliefs are are personal beliefs. But if the NFL’s goal is to keep political speech out of its purview, then Bosa should undergo some form of discipline,” the passage reads.

Rule 5, Section 4, Article 8 of the NFL Rule Book states: “The league does not authorize any club or player to wear, display or otherwise convey any message through helmet decals, armbands, jersey patches, mouthpieces or other items which are affixed to match uniforms or equipment and which relate to political activities or causes, other non-football events, causes or campaigns, or charitable causes or campaigns.”

NICK BOSA’S MAGA HAT LOOK APPEARS IN ‘SNF’ SOCIAL MEDIA FEED, CLIP POSTED AFTER FAN FUROR

In another clip, Trotter said he would have “more respect” for Bosa if the defending side spoke more about his beliefs after the match.

“As for Bosa, I would have more respect for him if he stood ten toes deep in his beliefs. During his meeting with the media after the match, he literally changed hats and refused to discuss his demonstration,” Trotter wrote.

Still, the column acknowledged that Bosa is entitled to his beliefs.

Fox News Digital reached out to The New York Times for comment but had not received a response at time of publication.

A statement from The Athletic to Awful Announcing said: “The New York Times standards played no role in this process. The story went through the normal editing process at The Athletic. We do not publicly discuss our editorial decision-making.”

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa speaks at a press conference after a game against the Dallas Cowboys in Santa Clara, California, Sunday, October 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)

The incident involving Bosa’s MAGA hat has become the subject of widespread debate following his team’s win over the Cowboys on Sunday night. It is also believed that the stunt was censored by NBC, the network responsible for broadcasting the game.

Witnesses say they saw an edited version of the postgame interview on NBC’s social media, with Bosa removed from the clip. However, an unedited version featuring Bosa is the most recent video posted by NBC.

It was not the first time that Bosa made his support for Trump public. He announced this in 2019 he scrubbed his X report of Trump’s posts and Colin Kaepernick’s criticism of fears that he may not be fully embraced by the city of San Francisco if drafted by the 49ers.

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Bosa was later asked about his decision to send a political message onto the field on Sunday evening, but he declined to elaborate.

“I’m not going to talk about it too much, but it’s an important time.” Bosa said during a post-match press conference.

Longtime sports broadcaster Bomani Jones challenged Bosa to “speak out.”

Jones noted that Bosa made the decision to express his support for a political candidate in a public forum.

San Francisco 49ers defenseman Nick Bosa celebrates as he leaves the field after a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, October 27, 2024. (Kelley L Cox/Imagn Images)

‘Someone asked him about it at the post-match press conference. I mean, he did it for Trump. What do you mean you’re not going to talk about it too much, partner? You called; you did that. You brought us here. You decided you wanted to put that out there, and that’s a big moment,” Jones said on the latest edition of “The Right Time with Bomani Jones.”

“To me, the question we have to ask ourselves is: Why is this an important time? Because I don’t know that guy.”

Former Chicago Bears player Brian Urlacher expressed his support for Bosa. He responded to Bosa’s Instagram post, in which the 49ers defensive lineman posted photos, including the moment he showed off the supporting Trump hat.

“MAGA,” Urlacher wrote in the comments section, along with two American flags.

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