NFL rescinds Kitna's fine for cross cap
SportsLine.com wire reports
CINCINNATI -- Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna won't have to pay the $5,000 fine levied by the NFL for wearing a cap with a cross during interviews after a game in December.
League spokesman Steve Alic said Thursday the league decided to rescind the fine before Kitna's appeal was scheduled to be heard. Alic declined to explain why the punishment was dropped.
The NFL has a rule that only league apparel can be worn for interviews immediately following games, a way of protecting its sponsorship deals. Kitna thought the rule applied only to products that include a competing company's logo or name.
He routinely wears a cap with a cross to interviews during the week, underscoring his religious beliefs.
"All along, there was never any malicious intent on my part," Kitna said in a phone interview Thursday. "I don't think they ever intended for the fine to stick."
After the NFL fine him, religious stores around Cincinnati sold hundreds of similar caps to fans who supported Kitna. He also received about $100 in donations from fans around the country to pay the fine. The money has been returned.
"We've sent it back and sent a personalized letter to each one," Kitna said. "We can't really express our thanks enough and say how humbling it was to receive those letters and phone calls to my agent saying they'd pay the fine.
"A businessman in Cincinnati said he was willing to pay $5,000 upfront and every fine thereafter if I'd continue to wear the hat."
Kitna stopped wearing the cap for postgame interviews when he realized it broke the rule.
Kitna won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award for leading the Bengals to an 8-8 record and keeping them in playoff contention until the final week of the season.
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