RICK EYMER
Associated Press
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s $11,025 fine from the NFL for what a game official called “inappropriate language” during the 49ers’ loss to the Chicago Bears last month was cut in half Wednesday.
Kaepernick has denied any wrongdoing when he and Chicago defensive end Lamarr Houston went at it after a fourth-quarter interception.
“I think it should’ve all been gone,” Kaepernick said. “If you’re going to say I used a racial slur and come back and say I didn’t say it, then I don’t know what I’m being fined for.”
Kaepernick pointed to Houston’s own comments that the quarterback didn’t say anything offensive or out of line.
Houston told the Chicago Tribune after the game that he hadn’t heard anything from Kaepernick and that he had said something to the quarterback after the first of two late interceptions by rookie Kyle Fuller that helped rally the Bears.
“I said, ‘Nice pass,'” Houston said. Kaepernick shoved Houston.
Union spokesman George Atallah tweeted that the union is disappointed that Kaepernick’s fine was not eliminated “given the finding there was no racial slur used.”
Kaepernick also was fined $10,000 for wearing the pink “Beats by Dre” brand headphones following the 49ers’ win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
His fine was more than the $8,286 levied against the Broncos’ Julius Thomas for a chop block on Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell the same weekend.
“I’m not going to say anything or they’re going to throw another fine my way, so I’m just going to be quiet at this point,” he said.
While Kaepernick has an endorsement deal with Beats and has done a commercial, the league’s contract is with Bose.
Wearing the pink version in support of his grandmother for October breast cancer awareness month, Kaepernick knew he could be subject to a fine.
Kaepernick used to Twitter to explain his decision, posting a photo of himself with the headphones: “I support breast cancer awareness! My grandma is a survivor!”
Coming off his just performance of the season, throwing for 343 yards and three touchdowns in Monday night’s win over the St. Louis Rams, Kaepernick faces an even bigger challenge Sunday night, when the 49ers travel to Denver to take on Peyton Manning and the Broncos.
“It’s always a great opportunity to go against someone like Peyton,” Kaepernick said. “He does a great job. He’s very intelligent and puts the offense and his team in the best position to win.”
NOTES: Several 49ers sported San Francisco Giants apparel before taking dressing for Wednesday’s practice. … LG Mike Iupati (concussion), S Jimmie Ward (quadriceps), LB Patrick Willis (toe) and DE Justin Smith (not injury related) were held out of practice. … CB Tramaine Brock (toe), CB Chris Cook (quadriceps), CB Perrish Cox (quadriceps), CB Chris Culliver (shoulder) LT Anthony Davis (knee, ankle), DE Tony Jerrod-Eddie (shoulder), WR Stevie Johnson (hip) and DT Ian Williams (ankle, shoulder) were limited at practice. TE Vernon Davis (back) participated in the full practice. … Johnson’s hip is not considered serious.
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