National Football League

49ers' Kaepernick not fine with reduced fine from NFL

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:14 p.m. ET

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Colin Kaepernick was able to get his fine for unsportsmanlike conduct reduced by half on appeal after there was no evidence that the San Francisco 49ers quarterback had used a racial slur, FOX Sports 1 NFL insider Mike Garafolo reports.

Last month, the NFL fined Kaepernick $11,025 for what an official deemed "inappropriate language" toward Chicago Bears defensive end Lamarr Houston. The fine has been reduced to $5,512, Garafolo reports.

Kaepernick has denied any wrongdoing when he and Houston went at it after a fourth-quarter interception.

''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.

According to a source, Ted Cottrell, who oversees player appeals of fines, stated in the decision letter that there was no evidence that Kaepernick’s conduct included a racial slur but, but the 49er's "general profane language" still showed a "clear violation of the rule," which was why half the fine was upheld.

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.''

This isn't the only fine Kaepernick's accrued this season. Last week, Kaepernick was fined $10K for wearing Beats by Dre headphones in a press conference. The NFL's partnership with competitor Bose means league players can only wear Bose headphones when there's a potential of being seen by cameras or fans.

But that didn't stop Kaepernick from marching to his own Beats. On Monday night, after the 49ers win over the Rams, Kaepernick wore his Beats headphones, but made sure to cover the logo with tape.

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,'' Kaepernick said.

However, Kaepernick took to social media to make his feelings known, retweeting dozens of fans' tweets ripping the NFL for fining him, and posting this tweet of his own:

The face you make when the NFL says you didn't use a racial slur and still fines you $5500? *shrugs*… http://t.co/IxjF2ib3Np
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) October 15, 2014

Kaepernick has an endorsement deal with Beats and knew he could be subject to a fine for wearing the pink version in support of his grandmother for October breast cancer awareness month.

Kaepernick used Instagram 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 best performance of the season, throwing for 343 yards and three touchdowns in Monday night's comeback 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.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.