NBC has faced backlash from NFL fans after the network reportedly censored the clip of San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa’s MAGA cameo.
The 27-year-old made it clear where his political loyalties lie when he crashed his 49ers teammates’ post-victory interview on the network’s “Sunday Night Football” coverage last weekend.
The defensive lineman, who has been an outspoken supporter of Trump, interrupted NBC reporter Melissa Stark’s post-game chat with Brock Purdy, George Kittle and Isaac Guerendo by walking into frame and sticking his head in the middle of the shot.
He gestured repeatedly to the cap he was wearing, which bore Donald Trump’s infamous campaign slogan: “Make America Great Again.”
After drawing attention to his pro-Trump headgear, Bosa strode away, leaving Stark to brush off the on-air incident.
San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa (center) wore a MAGA cap live on NBC on Sunday night
Despite the political stance making headlines, NBC tried to sweep the incident under the rug.
The network shared a clip of the interview with the trio of San Francisco standouts on its “Sunday Night Football” X account.
However, in the version that was published, Bosa’s pro-Trump photobomb was removed, according to Outkick and the New York Post.
DailyMail.com has contacted NBC for comment.
The alleged censorship caused a meltdown among angry Republican NFL fans, who criticized the network for being “pathetic,” “outrageous” and “despicable.”
“Lmfao they edited Bosa,” wrote one fan, commenting on the posted Sunday Night Football video with a screenshot of Bosa from the original live coverage.
“You guys really suck for editing this. Pathetic idiots woke up,” another also responded.
“Why did you take Nick Bosa out showing off his MAGA hat?” one asked, while another shared a photo of Bosa’s cap and wondered: “Why was this cut out?”
“Did @60Minutes call and provide editing tips?” a fifth hit, referring to Trump opponent Kamala Harris’ interview with 60 Minutes.
NFL fans have criticized the network for allegedly editing the defensive lineman’s cameo on X
Another hit on the network, stating: ‘Note that NBC is trying to cover up the details of Nick Bosa’s hat on live TV. For some “weird reason” you can barely make out the gold lettering on the front. If it doesn’t bother you, there’s really no hope for you.’
“NBC tried and failed to edit San Francisco’s Nick Bosa’s MAGA hat moment on Sunday. It never ends with the censorship of the left. I’ll come to a neighborhood near you if Kamala wins. Just unbelievable,” said another, calling the measure “censorship.”
‘If MSM censors someone for showing a maga hat, I immediately think that person has something to hide. They are afraid that Trump will shine a light on their corruption, or worse, if he is elected,” one social media user claimed, attacking the “mainstream media” in general.
“The Democrats have been begging for this all week. The man put on a hat and they completely fell apart. Absolutely pathetic,” another criticized.
Following the backlash, Sunday Night Football appeared to remove the edited clip from its platform with links to the post, directing social media users to a message stating that the post was no longer available.
The unedited segment was reportedly later reshared, showing Stark’s full interview and Bosa’s cameo.
Bosa was reserved after the match when asked about his decision to wear the hat.
“I’m not going to talk about it too much, but I think it’s an important time,” he said on stage – with another cap on his head.
NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” account has since removed the reported edited video
The 27-year-old has been an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump in the past
Bosa was then asked if he had been tempted to speak more about his political beliefs in the past.
“It’s definitely a little easier these days, but no, I don’t feel like I’m inclined to do that,” he said.
“It’s just a different climate.”
Bosa has been an outspoken supporter of Trump in the past, tweeting pro-Trump content before being selected second overall by the 49ers in 2019.
The pass rusher was chosen much to the anger of the team’s more liberal fans in the Bay Area, where Democratic candidate Harris is from.
Some 49ers fans reacted angrily to the San Francisco team’s decision to draft Bosa, citing his reputation as a Trump supporter and his history of “insensitive” social media posts.
In addition to supporting Trump’s presidency, Bosa had a history of tweeting negative statements about black pop culture icons and entertainment properties — posts that his agent deleted from his online presence amid his rising 2019 draft prospects.
Among his deleted tweets were statements in which he called activist and former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick a “clown,” wrote NBA star Dwyane Wade “looks like a parrotfish” and noted that Black Panther was the “worst Marvel movie.”
Nick Bosa was reluctant to say much about his Donald Trump hat on Sunday night
From left to right: 49ers DL Nick Bosa, former President Donald Trump, Bengals QB Joe Burrow
He also tweeted that “Beyonce’s music is complete bullshit” in 2016, just six days after she released her album Lemonade, which featured the politically charged song Formation. Earlier this year, Beyonce was criticized for wearing a Black Panther-inspired outfit and Formation performing during the Super Bowl halftime show.
He previously tweeted “Love this man” while retweeting a video of Trump’s weekly speech and posted a photo of himself giving a thumbs up next to a cardboard cutout of Trump.
Bosa, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also said he is a “huge fan” of Trump, adding: “He brings a charisma that no other candidate has. [had] in my life,” said SF Gate.
He was also pictured earlier this year next to the 45th president with Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.