New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis said he has won an appeal against a fine stemming from the “Man of God” headband he wore in violation of NFL rules and will not have to pay the $7,017 penalty.
Davis, who wore the headband during a match against the Seattle Seahawks, said in an Instagram post that, “My agent just told me that I won my appeal and won’t have to pay the headband fine.”
Instead, Davis said he plans to donate what he would have paid to St. Dominic’s Hospital’s emergency department, located in Jackson, Mississippi.
“Always glory above so I’m taking every penny of that original $7,017 fine and donating it to @stdomhospital anyways,” he said.
Davis has raised more than $30,000 for the hospital selling his Man of God headbands.
Davis earlier spoke out about being hit with the $7,000 fine, saying he was unaware of the NFL policy that prohibits players from displaying personal messages on uniforms.
Davis sported the headband under his helmet during a Sept. 22 match between the Saints and the Seattle Seahawks.
Several days later Davis shared a photo of the headband on Instagram with the caption: “So, I got fined $7K for my headband. Should I continue to wear it, or nah? #LetThePeopleDecide #ManOfThePeople #ManOfGod.”
Many people responded to his post, encouraging him to continue to wear the headband.
Davis told NOLA.com he expected the incident would eventually reveal its bright side.
“Of course you don’t want to be fined. Nobody wants to lose money but I think any time that the conversation about God is brought up, especially in these times, I think it’s always a positive or silver lining.”
After learning he would not have to pay the fine, Davis thanked his supporters on Instagram, saying that they “helped me turn a $7,000 negative into an almost $40,000 positive benefiting people who truly need it!!!”
“Obstacles are meant to be conquered,” he added.
