The NFL Will Relax Its Strict Cleat Policy

The NFL will relax its cleat policy and allow players to wear custom styles.

Victor Cruz's 9/11 custom cleats.
Image via Getty Images/Ronald Martinez
Victor Cruz's 9/11 custom cleats.

The NFL's much criticized rules for acceptable cleats will be more lax going forward, ESPN reports. A memo sent by the league to coaches and equipment managers lays out new guidelines that allow for more footwear freedom.

Per ESPN, players can wear any cleats they want during pregame warm-ups, as long as their designs aren't offensive, don't express any political views, and don't feature trademarked logos beyond those of Adidas, Nike, and Under Armour.

The rules around in-game footwear have also changed, and the league will now allow players to wear cleats in solid black, solid white, and teams' primary and secondary colors.

The NFL handed out plenty of cleat-related fines last season, effectively banning the Yeezy cleats and coming down on Odell Beckham Jr.'s customs.