The NFL reduced Houston Texans cornerback Jaylin Smith’s penalty to $6,223 after an appeal, down from $7,779. The fine stemmed from an unauthorized shoe logo Smith wore while warming up at a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The logo has not been identified in the available report.
The league classified the matter as Smith’s first offense and said he had an opportunity to fix the uniform issue, but determined that a smaller fine was still appropriate. NFL penalties for a first uniform violation involving items such as jerseys, socks or undergarments are listed at $5,971. A first offense involving an unauthorized logo or intellectual-property issue can reach $11,941.
Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reported the decision Sept. 12, before Houston’s regular-season opener against the Buffalo Bills, in a report cited by heavy.com. Smith could potentially receive the money back under an NFL Players Association policy announced in August.
The policy allows players with one offense in eligible categories to receive a full reimbursement after the season, though the NFLPA has not specified those categories. Because the incident happened on the playing surface during warmups, it might qualify as on-field conduct.
Smith would have to avoid another applicable violation during the rest of the 2026 regular season, and the policy’s application to this fine remains unclear.
