Redskins QB Robert Griffin III “won't likely be fined” for covering up the Nike logo on his undershirt Sunday “because the shirt was only visible before pregame warmups,” according to Darren Rovell of ESPN.com. But NFL VP/Communications Brian McCarthy said that “league officials would talk” to Griffin about covering up the logo. Players are not allowed "to cover up the swoosh of Nike, which is in its first year of a five-year deal with the league." Rovell noted Griffin wrote “the word ‘Heart’ on the left side of his undershirt.” The "H" was “drawn extra wide so that the logo of Nike" was covered. Griffin has "a lucrative deal with its competitor adidas” (ESPN.com, 9/11). ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano wrote of the situation, “I'm sure it won't happen again once the NFL explains to Griffin that it can't have its players covering up the Nike logos because Nike is paying the league a bajillion dollars for the rights to design the uniforms and other gear the players are wearing these days. Gotta give the kid credit for being crafty, at least” (ESPN.com, 9/11). Syndicated radio host Dan Patrick said, "Look at the publicity he just got for adidas because of something like that.” Patrick: “If I’m adidas, I’ll say, ‘Look, RGIII, I got your fine here, buddy. I’ll pay it. Do it one more time.’ If they dock him five grand and you get $100,000 worth of free advertising (it’s worth it)” (“The Dan Patrick Show,” 9/12).
