The NFL has told ESPN’s Jenna Laine that unvaccinated players will be fined $14,650 if they breach COVID-19 rules this season.
The clarification comes after Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians was quoted in the Tampa Bay Times as saying he would fine his players “$14,000 on the spot every time he isn’t wearing a mask or is following a protocol.” Arians told ESPN in a text message that it wasn’t his policy, but rather “league standards.”
Brian McCarthy, an NFL spokesman, told ESPN that the number is correct and that it is a league rule.
This comes just two days after the NFL announced that in the case of a COVID-19 cancellation, forfeitures will be enforced.
Also, some players and coaches have expressed reservations about getting immunized.
Rick Dennison, the offensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings, was fired after refusing to take the vaccine.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network got the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols for the next season in June, which included player sanctions.
Although the $14,650 charge for a protocol violation was not stated, a fee for contact tracing infractions was.
For a first violation, any player who refuses to participate or lies during a contact tracing interrogation faces a fine of one week’s pay or up to $50,000.
Following that, the fines will increase.
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