The NFL has written a memo to all 32 franchises outlining the discipline and consequences that will be imposed if an epidemic occurs during the season.
The league has now warned the teams of the repercussions they will face if an outbreak occurs, despite the fact that the variations in health and safety protocols for vaccinated and unvaccinated players have been laid out for months.
Penalties might range from a 10-day enforced quarantine to forfeiting a game and losing a week’s pay.
Why has the NFL changed its stance on vaccination? The organization does not want to reschedule any of its 272-game schedule during the season, as it did with certain games last year due to outbreaks.
If the schedule needs to be adjusted, competitive disadvantage can arise, and high vaccination rates are the best way to avoid it.
If an outbreak occurs among vaccinated players and a game must be rescheduled or canceled, the league will do everything possible to keep both teams competitive and financially viable.
However, if a game is canceled or rescheduled due to unvaccinated players testing positive, the league’s punishments will fall on the club that caused the epidemic.
Teams will be required to forfeit the game and will be given a loss.
The NFL also indicated in today’s memo that teams with an epidemic of unvaccinated players or employees would face financial penalties and possible sanctions from Roger Goodell, the league’s commissioner.
“Every club is obligated under the Constitution and Bylaws to have its squad ready to play at the specified time and venue,” according to today’s NFL message.
Failure to do so is considered irresponsible behavior.
The right to postpone a game does not exist.” — Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 22, 2021 NFL players react to the league’s new COVID-19 guidelines As soon as news regarding the league’s new COVID-19 policy became public, players took to Twitter to express their displeasure.
DeAndre Hopkins of the Arizona Cardinals tweeted that he is “questioning his future” because “he may harm his team because he refuses to get the vaccine.” The message has subsequently been removed.
Leonard Fournette and Matthew Judon were also critical of the new policies.
Before today, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley was outspoken in his opposition to the vaccine, saying that “if he were forced to take the injection to play in the NFL, he would consider retirement.” Now, more than half of NFL teams have vaccination rates of above 80%.
The message is clear in today’s statement and the health and safety protocols for the 2021 season: get vaccinated or suffer the consequences.
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