DIAMONDS UNDER THE SHIELD

The NFL markets itself through its players, and despite the uniformity and obedience players have towards the shield, some players are generating notoriety for taking part in a trend that is growing amongst some of the league’s superstars, and that is jewelry. However, the jewelry that these players are rocking is not the gold chain that was passed on to you from your dad or uncle, or one of those cheap plated necklaces that may or may not turn your neck green. No, these necklaces are real gold and platinum and flooded with diamonds. The type of diamonds that resemble the ocean at night when the camera hits them just right. 

Although there have been athletes throughout history who have been known for their jewelry off the playing field, very few sports allow you to sport it in the field of play. What makes this trend so unique is that the players who are iced out are not the players in the trenches, but instead players who play positions where the camera is on them constantly. Players like New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers could be spotted sporting a diamond-crusted grill mouthpiece along with a chain that reads “LEEK”, the same can be said for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who wears diamond chokers under his pads, so does Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who wears an assortment of diamond-studded chokers on gamedays. A person who has been seen sporting a diamond grill consistently this past season has been two time MVP Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. It is also worth mentioning that there are some players like Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown and Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry who wear chains with cross pendant to reference their faith. Further the NFL rule book restricts wearing “hard objects” for safety purposes however everything else is fair game. Compared to the NBA which states that referees are permitted to not allow players to wear jewelry while playing. Similar rules can be seen in professional soccer leagues.

It is important to note that as much attention as NFL players’ jewelry attracts, the jewelry itself is an extension of the players’ identity. Sure they may  wear the same jersey and helmet as their teammates however it is their grill or diamond necklaces that give them something extra, although some may view it as them being premodonna divas perpetuating a look at me attitude the wearing of the jewelry speaks to the players individuality.

Jewelry, NIL, and The economics of visibility 

Although the jewelry trend has permeated throughout the NFL, there are former college football players and even institutions parlaying name image and likeness deals that involve jewelry as an extension of branding, marketing and exposure. An example of this would be former Notre Dame Running back Jadarian Price signing with Johnny Dang & Co and receiving a piece in exchange for the partnership Price expressed it is not so much about the jewelry itself but the connections and doors it could open up for him off the field given Dang’s access to celebrities and entertainment. In 2024 Penn State University's Happy Valley NIL collective inked a partnership with GLD which is the go to jewelry designers of a-list entertainers. As apart of the deal GLD produced Penn State branded jewelry. This speaks to the potential jewelry has to open doors and create business opportunities for collegiate athletes. 

In sports such as bodybuilding, competitors are dismayed from wearing jewelry as it distracts from performance. Additionally this mindset can marginalize those competitors that are black given black identity is already policed on a wider scale in our society. The selective criticism is not rooted in fairness but tries to dehumanize the individual for the sake of professionalism.

The idea of picking and choosing the acceptance of jewelry in sport further highlights a deeper correlation between jewelry and professionalism. On one hand, it is athletes expressing themselves for the aspect of monetization i.e a game on Sunday, or Monday night the viewership and viral touchdowns bring light to these pieces of jewelry due to the athletes wearing them making the highlight plays, and it can also be disciplined. With NIL partnerships becoming a friend, professional leagues will adapt to the marketing and business opportunities that can not only benefit the athletes but also bring exposure to their respective leagues.  

Sincerely,

Ray Saturn

Works Cited

Howe, Jonathan E. “Self-Presentation and Black Male College Athletes at Historically White Institutions.” Sociology of Sport Journal, vol. 40, no. 2, 2023, pp. 1–10.

TMZ Staff. “Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price Gets Iced Out with Johnny Dang Jewelry Deal.” Yahoo Sports, 23 Feb. 2025, https://sports.yahoo.com/article/notre-dames-jadarian-price-gets-081059668.html.