Steelers Defensive Captain Slams NFL Over ‘Ridiculous’ Fine on Safety DeShon Elliott

Pittsburgh, PA — October 3, 2025, 5:24 PM EDT — Pittsburgh Steelers defensive captain Patrick Queen has publicly criticized the NFL for imposing what he calls a “ridiculous” fine on teammate safety DeShon Elliott, reigniting debate over the league’s uniform regulations. The backlash follows Elliott’s $5,797 penalty for wearing a black towel during the Steelers’ 24-21 Week 4 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland.

Queen, who took over as defensive captain following the departure of former leader Ryan Shazier, voiced his frustration in a post-practice press conference. “Since when did carrying a towel or an item that doesn’t affect gameplay become banned? This fine is absurd,” Queen said. “I think it’s time to revise these rules that have no impact on outcomes—they’re out of touch.”

The fine stems from NFL Rule 5, Section 4, Article 6, Section 5, which mandates towels be white and free of personal messages, logos, or illustrations, with only one allowed per player. Elliott’s black towel, posted on Instagram with a scathing caption tagging the NFL and NFLPA, sparked the penalty. Despite the controversy, Elliott shone in the game, recording six tackles, one interception, and a forced fumble after returning from a knee injury.

Queen’s remarks echo Elliott’s own discontent, as the veteran safety labeled the punishment a distraction from meaningful issues. The Steelers (3-1), fresh off their international win, are already navigating injuries to Jalen Ramsey (hamstring) and Alex Highsmith (ankle), making Elliott’s return a boost. Queen, a 2024 All-Pro with 112 tackles last season, emphasized team unity: “DeShon’s a warrior—fining him for a towel is petty when we’re out here fighting.”

Fans on X rallied behind Queen, with #NFLOutOfTouch trending. “Patrick’s right—this is a joke,” one post read. The NFL has not responded, but the incident adds to growing scrutiny of the league’s rule enforcement, especially after recent controversies like Aaron Rodgers’ smelling salts debate. As the Steelers prepare for their Week 6 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Queen’s outspoken stance could pressure the NFL to reconsider its policies.