Beats headphones or Bose headphones?

This is a choice that many of us can make freely.

Unless of course you happen to be a professional athlete. Then you may find yourself tangled up in the ridiculous web of greed that involves sport sponsors.

Ladies and gentlemen, we live in a world where an athlete’s choice of underwear can get them into trouble.

Their underwear.

When sponsors and professional sports organizations are flipping out about the brand of undies you put on your body, that’s when you know that things have gone entirely too far.

So the fact that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was fined by the NFL for wearing non-sponsored headphones isn’t too surprising.

Colin Kaepernick was fined $10k for wearing non-NFL approved headphones » http://t.co/WPeaBOuI1Q pic.twitter.com/w9uCfWjtkw

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 10, 2014

It’s not like Kaepernick can’t afford to pay out a $10,000 fine for preferring Beats to Bose.

However, the event has raised some questions about exactly how individual taste becomes sacrificed for things which technically have NOTHING to do with the actual sport.

Owning Beats headphones has no impact on Colin’s ability to throw a football.

Drinking Gatorade rather than Powerade before a game will not make a difference in the final score.

If the kicker misses the field goal, it will not be because he was wearing Nike cleats rather than Adidas.

Colin Kaepernick becomes the 1st player fined by the @NFL for wearing #BeatsByDre headphones http://t.co/qd2uTdOZjU pic.twitter.com/g8ZxZm8Ed4

— OnSMASH (@OnSMASH) October 10, 2014

Beats headphones and Bose have quietly settled their differences over a patent, but it looks like this is one area where contention will likely remain.

Fans are known to buy whatever celebrities they admire happen to buy. This is why celebrity endorsements are so sought after and have been for many years.

Understandably, Bose would prefer if Colin used his visibility to promote their brand.

Or at the very least…not indirectly advertise for a MAJOR competitor.

Perhaps he can keep a pair of Bose headphones around strictly for appearances while really using his Beats headphones most of the time?

It would certainly help him avoid future fines.

Do you think Colin Kaepernick should be forced to wear headphones he doesn’t like? Should NFL sponsor agreements automatically impact its players and what they personally own and use?