NFL, NFLPA Update COVID-19 Protocols; NFL Threatens Loss of Draft Picks, Forfeiting Games as Potential Punishments

With the Tennessee Titans COVID-19 outbreak, the NFL knew it needed to adjust their virus protocols. Monday, the league and the player’s association agreed to some additions for their official COVID-19 protocols.

Among the additions, the NFL announced additional steps to reduce risk of infection, including “consider holding all meetings virtually, wear masks and face shields during practices and walk-throughs, decrease the size of the traveling party, reduce time spent in lunchrooms and locker rooms…”

Also, the league wants teams to look for places to reduce close contact.

Punishments have become clear and more severe too.

“Protocol violations that result in virus spread requiring adjustments to the schedule or otherwise impacting other teams will result in additional financial and competitive discipline, including the adjustment or loss of draft choices or even the forfeit of a game,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in the press release on Monday.

The NFL also announced changes to the previously agreed-upon protocols would include “a longer onboarding process for free agent tryouts, bans on gatherings outside of the club facility, limitations on the number of tryouts permitted per week and implementation of a league-wide video monitoring system to ensure compliance with the protocols…”

Specifically, the league wants to monitor “the mandate that all staff and players wear PPE [Personal Protective Equipment] while in a club facility and on travel at all times.”

Check out the full release in the tweet below.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell with a pointes message to clubs on COVID-19 protocols: “Simply put, compliance is mandatory.” pic.twitter.com/WY8RhtN6la

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 5, 2020

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