The NFL is getting serious about following COVID-19 protocols.
The NFL had its first postponement of this season in Week 4 due to positive COVID-19 results within the Tennessee Titans organization. Then came the news that Cam Newton tested positive and the New England Patriots vs. Kansas City Chiefs game was moved to Monday night.
Coaches have been seen with their masks around their chins and have been fined six figures for that. Further violations have been reported and actually having to postpone a game finally made the problem real for the NFL. The league released new protocols Monday with serious punishments involved for those who ignore the rules.
NFL memo to teams today. Excerpts include "Complacency is our shared opponent" and "Therw have been breaches to the protocols and individual players, staff, and clubs have been disciplined as a result." pic.twitter.com/gck1eLx82Q
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) October 5, 2020
The NFL is not messing around
The league is threatening more than just fines and lost draft picks if teams break the protocols. Forcing a game to be postponed because of COVID-19 can now lead to the forfeiture of games. It would likely take a serious violation for the league to go that far, but the threat is still there.
“Compliance is mandatory,” reads the memo. This sounds straight out of a dystopian novel and the strong language is necessary after repeated violations of the rules. These are not difficult rules to follow either. The alternative to wearing a mask if risking the spread of COVID-19 and thus shutting down the season. No one wins in that scenario.
The memo also explains how the league will be watching in on team facilities to make sure the proper rules are followed. So this goes beyond just wearing a mask on the sidelines.
The NFL had time to learn from both the NBA and MLB in terms of playing a season during the COVID-19 pandemic. The league decided to go without a bubble and following these strict rules should help that plan continue to work.
It ultimately comes down to teams following the rules and not pretending like they are invincible. The threat of forfeiting a game should be enough to get everyone listening.