San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick said Thursday that he was fined $10,000 by the NFL for wearing pink ”Beats by Dre” headphones during interviews following the Nov. 5 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The NFL has a contract with Bose, so Kaepernick is prohibited from wearing the Beats headphones in any public appearance. The league’s rules supersede an endorsement deal Kaepernick has with Beats.

The pink version of the headphones were created to recognize October’s breast cancer awareness month.

Kaepernick knew he could be subject to a fine after wearing the headphones around his neck during the press conference, but chose to wear the pink headphones. He explained his decision to don the headphones in an Instagram post.

Loading

I support breast cancer awareness! My grandma is a survivor!……. *shrugs* some things are now important! #IDontGetTired #WhoDoYouLove #Se7enPounds

View on Instagram

The NFL released a statement explaining its decision to fine the quarterback.

“The NFL has longstanding policies that prohibit branded exposure on-field or during interviews unless authorized by the league. These policies date back to the early 1990s and continue today. They are the NFL’s policies – not one of the league’s sponsors, Bose in this case. Bose is not involved in the enforcement of our police,” said the NFL in a statement.

The quarterback has appealed the decision and it is set to be heard on Tuesday.

Kaepernick didn’t elaborate when asked if Beats would be picking up the tab for the fine, saying only, ”we’ll let that be unanswered.”

Loading

Spotted @kaepernick7 arriving in pink Beats Studios for #BreastCancerAwareness month. Proud to see #beatsfam show support. #BeatsbyDre

View on Instagram

Last month, the quarterback announced that he had been fined more than $11,000 for “inappropriate language” following a fourth-quarter interception during the 28-20 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sept. 14. He appealed the penalty saying he did nothing wrong when he and Chicago defensive end Larmarr Houston exchanged words, after which Kaepernick shoved the Bears’ player. Houston said later that Kaepernick didn’t say anything offensive or out of line.

In any case, Kaepernick can afford the fines. It’s pocket change for the young player, who received a $126 million, six-year contract extension in June, including $61 million in guaranteed money.