A Review of the Play Shows Illegal Socks

Some fans were outraged when New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms, right, was fined $1,500 for wearing his socks too high, but he was philosophical: "Shows you how times have changed -- they used to fine you $50." Simms should have known better, though; the Official N.F.L. Playing Rules clearly state what kind of hosiery players must wear:

"Stockings that cover the entire area from the shoe to the bottom of the pants, and that meet the pants below the knee. Players are permitted to wear as many layers of stockings and tape on the lower leg as they prefer, provided the exterior is a one-piece stocking that includes solid white from the top of the shoe to no higher than the mid-point of the lower leg, and approved team color or colors (non-white) from that point to the top of the stocking. Uniform stockings may not be altered (e.g., over-stretched, or cut at the toes or stirrups) in order to bring the line between solid white and team colors higher than the mid-point of the lower leg. No other stockings and/or opaque tape may be worn over the one-piece, two-color uniform stocking. Barefoot punters and place-kickers may omit the stocking of the kicking foot in preparation for and during kicking plays."