AsylumGuido

This explains those preventive stipulations (fines and incentives) that I mentioned earlier regarding protocols. If all of these are followed by all personnel the chance for any outbreak are almost nil.

NFL, NFLPA enact rule prohibiting certain off-field activities with stiff punishment for violators, per report

Things could get expensive quickly for players who don't respect COVID-19 guidelines

Some of the items that needed to be hashed out between the NFL and the NFLPA to get training camp started as scheduled were complex, and often exceedingly so. Other matters seemed a bit more rooted in common sense, however, and rely heavily on players simply doing the right thing amid the ongoing (and again surging) COVID-19 pandemic. To help nudge them in the right direction is a new clause that's been reportedly agreed to by both sides, and it involves potential punishment for players who partake in activities that put them at a higher risk of contracting the novel coronavirus.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, players are prohibited from engaging in such activities including, but not limited to, attending bars and/or nightclubs, hosting or attending indoor parties and concerts where more than 15 people will be present, as well as a ban on professional sporting events and even indoor church services that exceed 25 percent capacity. There are obvious caveats, in that players are allowed to pick up food from a bar, and the professional sporting event they can attend would be their own.

Should a player be found in violation of this new subset of COVID-19 driven rules, they could be subject to a fine, and would reportedly not be paid for any games missed if they test positive afterward. As it stands, players who test positive would be held in a separate section of the injury report, but still paid. High-risk behavior off the field would not only negate that right to compensation while sidelined, but possibly void future guaranteed money as well.

The latter is an extremely poignant stance, seeing as it mirrors what would occur if a player was suspended, i.e., often giving the respective team the right to void guaranteed money.

As far as enforcement of the social activities rule goes, well, it's up to teams to decide how they'll keep their players in line. While it's entirely possible they'll keep a stern eye on franchise players whose absence could completely put them at a competitive disadvantage for upwards of two weeks or more, most of the roster would simply be at the mercy of a world driven by social media and a camera in every hand waiting to get a glimpse of an NFL player doing the wrong thing. The good news for players is avoiding punishment is fairly simple and straightforward, in that all one must do is what they should've been doing up to this point anyway: staying home when possible, social distancing and avoiding high-risk gatherings and establishments.

In other words, as the NFL and NFLPA attempt to keep a lid on the number of positive tests during training camp and the regular season, stay home or risk both your health and your paychecks.

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

Rugby Saint II

Common sense stuff like Guido said. Toe the line or don't get paid. That sounds like a lot of the jobs I've had...

saintsfan1976

The NFL took a hard stance! Good for them.

COVID must mean way more to the league than domestic abuse, rape and murder.

AsylumGuido

Those things don't get into the way of revenue.

saintsfan1976

Until fans leave.

AsylumGuido

You have to understand the growing demographics of the NFL fan. For example, the fans that seem to be upset about some kneeling protest are limited to a small percentage of white, conservative, mostly southern Americans. Fans in other countries have no issue with it. Ethnic Americans and domestic foreigners have no issue with it. Blacks fans have no issue with it. Liberal fans have no issue with it. The vast majority of moderate fans have no issue with it. Native Americans and other North American indigenous people have no issue with it.

The NFL fanbase is absolutely the most diverse fanbase of any sport in the world. It is the perfect model for economic success. If every fan that is so sensitive that something like that bothers them to the point of giving up great entertainment gallantly decides to, and actually does not watch another NFL game for the rest of their lives it will not be a blip on the NFL's bottom line.

That is a fact. The only thing that can affect the NFL bottom line is a global pandemic, another world war, or perhaps end times.

But back to domestic abuse, rape and murder. There is no more occurrences of any of these things in the NFL than in any other sector of public life. Perhaps even less per capita, to be honest. When it does rarely happen it is more visible than the couple down the street, or what happened in the park near your home last night, or what happens multiple times in every decent sized city on a daily basis.

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

saintsfan1976

I think you're making assumptions about fans around the world and their opinions of players...

You argue it's less prevalent in the NFL than public life but how do you know? All we do know is the NFL lies to protect it's image and therefore less cases come to light. Besides, multi-million dollar athletes committing crime isn't an apples-to-apples comparison with John Q Public. They make more in a week than most make in a year. So they should be held to a higher standard. Their gifts are physical and although admired, don't make them any better than you and me.

I wasn't referring to protests but since you brought it up, viewership did decline around the protests. Neither of us can say for certain it was solely due to protests but it's likely. You can google the data.

However, you've accurately pointed out protests didn't stop most fans (including me) from tuning in and spending money. Personally, I thought the issue was overblown.

But here's what I think you're missing:

The NFL has knowingly covered up:
- Rape
- Murder
- Domestic Abuse
- Critical Health Safety & Science
- Concussion Data
- "Pay for Performance" Hoaxes (I threw that on in because I'm still salty)

Life has a funny way of being cyclical and the NFL is not immune to history. One day, it will lose it's luster and my money is on fans finding something more entertaining to watch.

Rugby Saint II

I wonder which dumbass is going to be the first to step over the line? Whoever it is Godhell will make an example of him and it will get ugly.

AsylumGuido

It's not Goodell that is wielding the hammer this time. It is the Player's Association. They are the ones that came up with the off-field restrictions. And according to several players I have heard on NFL Radio there will be quite a bit of direction in the locker room from veterans. They said things like they'll be telling younger players that you can wait until after the season to go to nightclubs or beaches. You can wait six months to visit family or go out to eat at restaurants. You can wait until after the playoffs to hang out with friends.

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

RaginCajun83

That’s all well and good but you know someone is going to break this set of rules.