USA Today via Reuters
Nov 22, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) calls a play at the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 22, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) calls a play at the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
It’s been a roller coaster of a season for teams across the league and their respective fans. With multiple players opting out of the season due to COVID-19 concerns, there were a lot of doubts surrounding the 2020 NFL season.
But league commissioner Roger Goodell in tandem with medical health professionals has ensured the safety of players, coaching staff, and matchday personnel with stringent COVID-19 protocols.
NFL officials are adamant that teams across the league adhere to these regulations for their own safety. But there have been instances where players/coaches have violated these codes. In response to that, league officials have not hesitated in dishing out sanctions for the same.
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The latest set of teams to be hit by NFL sanctions include Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots and the Sean Payton-led New Orleans Saints.
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NFL officials hit New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints with hefty fines
NFL insider Ian Rapoport confirmed that the Patriots and Saints were both slapped with major fines after they were found to be in contempt of COVID-19 protocols.
The league fined the Robert Kraft-owned franchise with a $350K sanction for their COVID-19 struggles in October. Summer recruit Cam Newton along with other Patriots players reportedly tested positive for the deadly virus and missed multiple games.
The Patriots and league officials were left to sort out logistical issues after the COVID-19 onslaught forced them to pause all activity at their training premises.
Sources: The #Patriots were fined $350K for COVID-19 protocol violations stemming from issues in October when Cam Newton & others tested positive.
The #Saints were fined $500K and docked a 7th round pick for their mask-less locker room celebration. They are repeat offenders.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 29, 2020
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Similarly, the league also subjected Sean Payton’s New Orleans Saints to a sizeable $500K sanction. The league has also docked their 7th-round pick from the 2021 NFL draft.
This is because the Saints were pictured celebrating in the locker room without masks. This is in violation of NLF protocols and social distancing rules in the US.
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The NFL is not taking any chances with respect to the spread of the fatal virus. This move will serve as a wake-up call to teams across the league.
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