Steelers Ben Roethlisberger fined $5000 for wearing Apple Watch on sidelines

Pittsburgh Steelers' Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been fined $5,000 for a uniform violation after wearing Apple Watch during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals — and he didn't even play.

The National Football League has fined Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger $5,000 for what's being described as a uniform violation. Roethlisberger was wearing an Apple Watch during his first game back with the team since elbow surgery.

Significantly, Roethlisberger was not playing at the time of the incident. Following the surgery, he was on the sidelines supporting the team during Monday Night Football against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Roethlisberger maintains that not only was he on the sidelines, he was not warned that he could be in violation of the uniform code. According to ESPN, he may not even have realized that he was wearing it.

Ben Roethlisberger wearing Apple Watch on Monday night. (Photo: Justin Berl/Getty Images)

Despite having returned from elbow surgery, Roethlisberger is still unable to use his right arm and reportedly was dressed by his wife, Ashley Harlan. Roethlisberger was not in his players' uniform, but instead wearing street clothes as he watched the game from the sidelines.

The player is reportedly appealing against the fine, which concerns the wearing of any electronic messaging devices during play.

The NFL is sponsored by Microsoft, and was the Official Laptop sponsor of Super Bowl LIII — albeit with a tablet.

22 Comments

netrox 1502 comments · 12 Years

About 5 years ago

I hope he wins the appeal. It seems ridiculous since he wasn't playing.

iOS_Guy80 902 comments · 5 Years

netrox said:

I hope he wins the appeal. It seems ridiculous since he wasn't playing.

Exactly what constitutes a uniform violation? Would he be in violation if he were wearing a Rolex? Fitbit?

sflocal 6136 comments · 16 Years

iOS_Guy80 said:

netrox said:

I hope he wins the appeal. It seems ridiculous since he wasn't playing.

Exactly what constitutes a uniform violation? Would he be in violation if he were wearing a Rolex? Fitbit?
"The player is reportedly appealing against the fine, which concerns the wearing of any electronic messaging devices during play."

Right there, clear as day. A Rolex and Fitbit do not have the ability to send electronic messages.

I too think it's ridiculous especially since he wasn't playing at the time. Would he be fined if he took out his smartphone and started texting on the sidelines as well since he's not playing?

razorpit 1793 comments · 17 Years

Any team playing in Foxboro needs devices that send and receive electronic messages because of how bad the headsets are.

gatorguy 24614 comments · 13 Years

iOS_Guy80 said:

netrox said:

I hope he wins the appeal. It seems ridiculous since he wasn't playing.

Exactly what constitutes a uniform violation? Would he be in violation if he were wearing a Rolex? Fitbit?

It's that it is a communication device, not that it's specifically an Apple Watch.