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NFL to require new rules regarding vaccinations

by: Austin Brezina12/14/21AustinBrezina59
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Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

In a memo shared to all NFL teams on Monday, the league is introducing a new set of rules regarding vaccinations after a number of players tested positive. The new rules require vaccination booster shots for all Tier 1 and Tier 2 staff by Dec. 27.

NFL updates rules for vaccinations

“Now official. NFL requiring booster shots of all Tier 1 and 2 staff by Dec. 27. Memo has gone out to teams,” explained NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo in a post sharing the official memo.

By the NFL’s definitions, “Tier 1 personnel consists of players, coaches, trainers, physicians and necessary personnel who must have direct access to the players.”

“Tier 2 will consist of general managers, football operations employees, other assistant coaches, video personnel, security and other essential personnel who may need to be in close proximity to the players and other Tier 1 individuals who may need to access restricted areas. Only individuals assigned to Tiers 1 and 2 will be permitted access to restricted areas, and there will be limits on the number of individuals from each team that can be assigned Tier 1 and Tier 2 access at any given time.”

“Tier 3 will consist of certain operational personnel, in-house media and broadcast personnel, field manager, transportation providers and individuals who perform essential facility, stadium or event services but do not require close contact with Tier 1 individuals. Team and other personnel who work exclusively in areas of team facilities that are or will be completely cordoned off from the rest of the facility do not need to be credentialed in one of the three access tiers.”

According to Tom Pelissero, the first case of the Omicron variant has been found within the NFL. A Tier 3 staffer with the Washington Football Team tested positive for the variant of COVID-19 on Monday. The Dallas Cowboys were just in town as well, with wide receiver Cedrick Wilson being put on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday.

Pelissero is also reporting that Tier 3 staffers are not allowed near players.

Overall, it’s been a rough day for the NFL, with 36 players going on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday alone. It’s the highest total number of players put on the list since it’s inception before the 2020 season.