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Photo by Gerry Kahrmann / PNG

Yell could use some himself. What is unusual about his dress-code transgression is not only the amount of the fine, but also that it has nothing to do with player safety. Indeed, before the misdemeanour was exposed by the CFL, would any in-stadium fan or TV viewer on TSN — not equipped with infrared goggles or image-enhance technology — have noticed his blacked-out Swoosh?

Earlier this season, Lions nose tackle Mic’hael Brooks was fined $1,000 for injuring ‘Rider QB Darian Durant (he suffered a sprained ankle), even though Brooks said the league acknowledged, in a subsequent letter, that he tried to avoid rolling into Durant. Brooks’ appeal of the penalty is ongoing.

“Ronnie’s fine is really ridiculous,” Brooks said. “I don’t understand the guidelines or the process with these fines. If you call my incident a late hit, that’s what it was. But it was my first offence. Ronnie got fined $2,000 for his second incident — over shoes. It’s crazy.”

Not all Lions are in agreement with Brooks, however.

Starting this year, Adidas became the official outfitter and licensing company of the CFL, assuming the partnership formerly held by Reebok. Adidas is Nike’s most formidable competitor. The sportswear giants get along like Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

“They’re cracking down really hard right now — and Adidas is a sponsor we want to support,” said Rolly Lumbala, the Lions’ player rep. “If you choose to wear another company’s shoes, you better make sure its (logo is) blacked out. There are certain (uniform) rules. Ronnie can still come to me and appeal the fine. The amount? What can I say? The sponsor is putting a lot of money into our league. At the same time, players want to be in gear with which they’re comfortable. There’s always that debate, right?”

For Yell, there is no argument Friday night. His shoes will be the officially licensed product of Adidas, though he feels more comfortable with Nike. He simply can’t afford another run-in with the footwear police.

“I want to maximize my performance,” he explained. “I’m not trying to go against the (Adidas) world. Some guys just can’t wear certain cleats. Guys around the league wear Nike and don’t get fined. I just know I don’t need another (fine).”

mbeamish@postmedia.com

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