NFL threatens teams over protocols

The NFL sent a memo to all 32 teams indicating that further violations of league game- day protocols for wearing masks could result in discipline that includes suspensions or forfeitures of draft picks.

Sent Wednesday from NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent and addressed to team executives, general managers, head coaches, athletic trainers and public relations directors, the memo warns that “this lack of compliance creates unnecessary risk to game day participants.”

During the 2020 season, as the league focuses on playing during the COVID- 19 pandemic, the NFL and the NFL Players Association have mutually agreed upon a list of game- day protocols to help prevent the spread of the virus. Some of those measures include mandatory mask or face coverings to be worn by coaches and non- player personnel on sidelines.

“We will continue to address lack of compliance with accountability measures that may also include suspensions of persons involved, and/ or the forfeiture of a draft choice( s),” reads the memo, obtained by USA TODAY.

Last week, five head coaches – Pete Carroll of the Seahawks, Kyle Shanahan of the 49ers, Vic Fangio of the Broncos, Sean Payton of the Saints and Jon Gruden of the Raiders – were each fined $ 100,000 for failing to properly maintain their faces covered during their Week 2 games. Each of the franchises was also docked $ 250,000 as part of the discipline.

In Wednesday’s memo, Vincent said the league “saw significant progress” in Week 3 games but noted that “wearing of protective equipment is still not universal.”