Under Armour and Justin Jefferson Drop 'Scary Hours' Gear for Halloween
The Minnesota Vikings struggled against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football this week, losing 37-10 in front of their home crowd. However, Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson created nightmares on and off the field.
Jefferson caught seven receptions for 74 yards during the game, coinciding with the launch of his latest player-exclusive Under Armour football cleats.
Jefferson has become the face of the UA Blur Pro football cleats, debuting several player-exclusive and general-release colorways. The good news is Under Armour dropped a new Halloween-inspired style, the bad news is they are selling out fast online.
This week, Under Armour launched the UA Blur Pro 'Scary Hours' cleats ($130 in adult sizes), matching football gloves ($50), and heavyweight shirt ($45) in limited quantities on UA.com for UA Rewards members and through Dick's Sporting Goods.
As if the hype was not already high enough, Jefferson teasing them online before the game helped the cleats sell out quickly in most sizes. Currently, only limited sizes remain in stock.
Set for release during spooky season, the cleats come in an eye-catching two-tone colorway. The silhouette sports a deep red base with black panels, giving the shoes a scary, mask-like appearance.
The performance model is designed for speed and agility —the same characteristics that Jefferson displays on the field. The UA Blur Pro features a full UA IntelliKnit upper for lightweight comfort and support.
Also, an ultra-thin TPU skin for durability, a knit collar for a sock-like fit, and a UA HOVR drop-in midsole for superior energy return. The new biomechanical plate design gives you a data-driven edge for unmatched speed and agility on the field.
According to Under Armour, only the fearless survive when the lights go out and the fog rolls in, so 'Scary Hours' is not just a threat but a warning shot. The cleats capture the intensity that is on the football field with the eerie vibes of Halloween.
Without question, 'Scary Hours' embodies Jefferson's game and on-field persona. However, the Pro Bowl wide receiver continues to be a force for good off the field.
Jefferson and Under Armour have teamed up on multiple fan and athlete events over the years, including the "Flight Academy," which hosted the country's top wide receivers at an elite football camp.
The NFL season is just heating up, so fans can expect more fire cleats from Jefferson and Under Armour. Stay locked into Sports Illustrated's Kicks On SI for all your footwear news from the NFL and beyond.
NFL Announces Punishment for Broncos Duo Before Cowboys Game
Dre Greenlaw was not the only Denver Broncos player who received discipline from the NFL this week. Teammates Justin Strnad and Riley Moss also got bad news from the league as the Broncos prepare to face the Dallas Cowboys.
All three players’ infractions occurred during the Broncos’ 33-32 win over the New York Giants in Week 7.
However, Moss and Strnad have not been suspended for their actions, as Greenlaw was for his.
Riley Moss Fined for Facemask Penalty in Broncos-Giants
According to the NFL’s football operations portal, Moss received a fine for an unnecessary roughness/facemask penalty he incurred in the third quarter of the Broncos’ win over the Giants in Week 7.
Moss, a former third-round pick in the third year of a four-year, $5.4 million contract, received an $8,253 fine as a result. It is the first fine Moss has received from the NFL in his career.
This was also the least costly of his two penalties in the game, as the Giants eventually punted.
Moss was also penalized for pass interference in the fourth quarter, which, while questionable to draw protest from Broncos head coach Sean Payton, more importantly led to a Giants touchdown on the following play.
“That was silly,” Payton told reporters on October 19. I had just felt like, man, I’m close with a number of people on that crew. But it just so happens in the last three times, the numbers haven’t been good. And I knew the certain penalty was wrong. That’s hard, because it made it first and five that led to their first score [of the second half]. That’s happened one other time. I just wanted them to hear me. You can’t do that.”
NFL EVP Telegraphed Justin Strnad Fine
Like Moss, whose unnecessary roughness penalty was sure to draw a fine, Strnad’s comes as little surprise. In one key way, it is even less surprising.
Strnad had an interaction with referee Brad Allen before Greenlaw confronted the latter.
“There was some contact with, I think it was Justin, No. 40, and each one of those are just isolated,” NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent told Mike Florio on “Pro Football Talk” on October 23. “He’ll be held accountable. So, that will come in fine for him.”
Strnad, on a one-year, $2.8 million contract, received a $15,486 fine. Vincent said that while Strnad would be penalized, Greenlaw’s punishment served as an example.
NFL Made Example Out of Dre Greenlaw
Vincent presented the idea that the league was using Greenlaw as an example, suspending him and not Strnad, for not only their NFL brethren, but also future generations of pros. Greenlaw’s use of “abusive” and “threatening language” was the basis for his suspension.
Greenlaw was not fined for the incident. However, his suspension was without pay.
“There’s just no place no no place in the game for that,” Vincent told Florio. “Also, I think it’s part of the message that the NFL wants to send to all lower levels of sport. We’ve seen incidents postgame at the youth level between coaches and officials. We don’t need that to happen. And I think if you take a strong stand with the Dre Greenlaw, maybe – maybe – it sends a message to the other.”
Greenlaw can return to the field in Week 9, when the Broncos will visit the Houston Texans, who are 2-4 entering Week 8.
