DeSean Jackson says he won't appeal fine for caution-tape cleats

ByJohn Keim ESPN logo
Wednesday, October 12, 2016

ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins receiver DeSean Jackson just wanted to send a message. Because of that, he knew he'd also be sending the NFL some money.

Jackson said he was fined by the NFL for wearing cleats with yellow caution tape painted on them in a Week 4 game vs. the Cleveland Browns.

Jackson had initially planned to wear the cleats only during pregame, but opted to keep them on all game. The fine for a violation is $6,076. Jackson wore the NFL-approved pink cleats against the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday.

Jackson said he didn't appeal the fine. He said he wore the cleats to bring attention to not only police brutality but also violence within communities.

"It's cool, man," Jackson said of the fine. "My message and what I wanted to get across was more of the case for that, so I wasn't worried about that [fine]."

Jackson said he wants to do more than just protest by wearing cleats. He said he wants to conduct seminars and after-school programs in the offseason.