Look at God: Linebacker Demario Davis won’t have to pay hefty fine for ‘Man of God’ headband
Article By Michael Davis // EEW Magazine // Sports + Faith
A 30-year-old New Orleans Saints linebacker is rejoicing because he won’t have to pay a hefty fine to the NFL for wearing a “Man of God” headband.
Demario Davis ecstatically announced the good news on social media that the $7,017 penalty has been waived.
Now he’s donating that amount and more to his hometown hospital.
For those unfamiliar with the story, here’s what happened. Davis was penalized by the National Football League for wearing the faith slogan-bearing headband during the Saints' game against the Seattle Seahawks.
According to league rules, players are expressly prohibited from "wearing, displaying, or otherwise conveying personal messages" during game day events unless the NFL makes the exception and approves it.
When Davis landed in hot water with the league, instead of accepting his fate and paying the fine, he appealed the ruling and won.
In his triumphant social media post, Davis told fans and followers he was donating the fine money, as well as the $30,000 he raised selling the headbands online, to St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi.
Photo Credit: Instagram/d56davis
"That means y’all helped me turn a $7,000 negative into an almost $40,000 positive benefiting people who truly need it," he wrote in the post.
A victorious Davis shared photographs of adorable children and adults at St. Louis King of France School in Metairie, Louisiana. They had all made their very own paper headbands show their support.
CNN reports that the NFL often rescinds fines in cases where a player demonstrates an understanding of the rule and agrees to comply moving forward.
Davis, who has been raising money to help St. Dominic Hospital—where his mother worked in his high school days— can continue his efforts to help the medical institution expand its emergency department.
“We are on a mission over here,” he said. “Obstacles are meant to be conquered!! I’m truly blessed as anybody.”
Davis has also expanded his inventory to include “Woman of God” and “Child of God” headbands. All proceeds benefit the hospital.
