NFL drops the hammer on Raiders for COVID-19 rule violations

The NFL showed they’re not messing around with the Las Vegas Raiders’ repeat violations of COVID-19 protocol.

Running a traditional regular season in the midst of a global pandemic was always going to be a challenge for the NFL. But for them to succeed, they needed full cooperation with all 32 organizations. Unfortunately, one team refused to take their COVID-19 protocol seriously, and the league dropped the hammer on them.

According to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, the NFL has fined the Las Vegas Raiders $500,000, head coach Jon Gruden $150,000 and stripped the team of their 2021 sixth-round draft pick. The punishment stems from offensive tackle Trent Brown’s positive COVID-19 test result back in late October.

Raiders never took protocol seriously

Brown previously tested positive for the coronavirus two weeks ago and was removed from the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list last week. He was slated to play against the Cleveland Browns this past Sunday, but had to be taken to the hospital pre-game after air entered his bloodstream while receiving an IV. Earlier Thursday, Brown was placed back on the COVID-19 list, as he was still dealing with the effects of the virus.

The Raiders have received notifications from the league offices frequently this season for the multiple breaches in protocol.

In Week 2, Gruden and New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton were fined $100,000 for not wearing his face mask on the sidelines. The team was also administered a $50,000 fine for allowing an unauthorized employee into the locker room following that game. Then, tight end Darren Waller was fined $30,000 for not wearing a mask while hosting an indoor charity event in Las Vegas. Several Raiders players who attended the fundraiser were fined $15,000 each for not wearing masks.

The NFL counted on all teams to follow their protocols to ensure that a Super Bowl champion is determined by early February. Considering daily coronavirus cases are increasing at alarming rates, the league needs their teams to cooperate in full. The Raiders have shown a relaxed and reckless behavior towards the guidelines, and now they’re paying the price in the form of hefty fines and the loss of a sixth-round pick.