NFL COVID-19 Memo: Facts, penalties, regulations you need to know

The NFL isn’t playing around when it comes to COVID-19 this season. NFL.com reporter Tom Pelissero broke the news first with a tweet last month that sent the NFL world in a frenzy. It’s key to note Pelissero, a respected football journalist, works directly for the media outlet owned by the NFL. He expanded on the initial memo through “sources,” but it’s safe to believe anything he is reporting, especially when it comes to the NFL and COVID-19.

Let’s be clear. This isn’t a political conversation. Like your local neighborhood deli, the NFL is a business. Your local sub shop likely doesn’t churn out several billion dollars a year, but still, the NFL has the right to adjust rules and procedures in an effort to protect the bottom line.

Here are the biggest points, facts, and takeaways on the NFL COVID-19 stance:

NFL COVID-19 competition implications

• The NFL isn’t going to bend over backwards to reschedule games due to COVID-19 outbreaks coming from unvaccinated players, coaches or staff
• If the league can’t reschedule a game cancelled due to an unvaccinated COVID-19 case, the team responsible will forfeit AND the loss will go toward playoff seeding, according to Pelissero
• Players on both teams left unpaid due to games cancelled because unvaccinated COVID-19 cases

Medical Implications

• If an unvaccinated person tests positive, the 2020 protocols remain in effect. The person enters into isolation for 10 days. He regains the ability to return to duty if asymptomatic
• If a vaccinated person tests positive and is asymptomatic, they enter isolation and contact tracing will promptly occur. The positive individual will be permitted to return to duty after two negative tests at least 24 hours apart and will thereafter be tested every two weeks as directed by the medical staffs
• Persons who have had a previous COVID-19 infection will be considered fully vaccinated 14 days after they have had at least one dose of an approved vaccine

Financial implications

• The team responsible for the COVID-19 cancellation is financially responsible for all parties effected. The team may also face discipline from the Commissioner’s office

If you are interested in the full memo, check out the original NFL.com article here.

Wow.

Those are just the nuts and bolts that stand out. The timing was telling. Any sudden changes to routines are tough for anyone (remember when COVID-19 first came into our lives?)

Just like 2020, COVID-19 will remain an important storyline throughout the 2021 NFL season. Things are getting better, but we aren’t to the finish line quite yet.