New NFL-NFLPA Agreement Bans Party

If you read the article about all the protocols and procedures that the Vikings have implemented for their training facility, you can be pretty sure that the possibility of a player getting the Covid-19 virus while in the TCO Performance Center would seem relatively low.

However, the possibility of contracting the virus increases considerably if the players decide to go out to spend a night in the city.

Well, the new NFL-NFLPA deal addresses that issue fairly directly. In particular, the following activities are prohibited:

• Attend indoor nightclubs
• Attend indoor bars (except to collect food)
• Attend indoor parties with more than 15 people.
• Attend indoor concerts
• Attend professional sporting events
• Attend indoor church services that allow over 25% of capacity to attend.

Players who violate the rules can be fined. Additionally, players who violate these rules and contract the virus will not be paid for games they lose, and all future warranties in their contract will be voided. I also can’t imagine that the team’s coaches and players are in love with the player, especially if he spreads to others on the team.

It remains to be seen how player activity will be monitored. Apparently, the NBA has a tip line where anyone can report a player to a prohibited establishment. Monitoring devices could also be used, as well as developing a network of people who work in these establishments to report violations.

I suspect that teams in general will encourage players to stay home when they are not on the team’s premises, and I know that teams have also had video conferences with players and family members about protocols and precautions.

It is also key to get members of the player’s immediate family on board with all of these protocols and precautions, as Rams tackle Andrew Whitworth can attest. Whitworth said a family member went out to lunch with a friend and contracted the virus. Soon, Whitworth’s entire family, including himself, his wife, children, and in-laws, tested positive.

I suspect the Whitworth story will circulate / has circulated throughout the league as an example of how quickly the virus can spread even with an apparently harmless incident.

The success of all these protocols and precautions to prevent a virus outbreak will really depend on the commitment of the players, the coaches and their family members to observe the rules.

There’s a lot at stake, which will no doubt be communicated through many channels to NFL families on a regular basis, reminding them to follow the rules. Even a minor violation, or maybe even none, and there could still be an outbreak forcing the cancellation of the season.

Roger Goodell has now said that training camp will begin, and now that all deals are in effect, the NFL is committed to playing an entire season. But even the best plans can be put aside when the facts on the ground dictate otherwise.

So far, a dozen rookies from nine teams who completed and reported their test results last week tested positive for Covid-19. Additionally, approximately 59 NFL players have tested positive for the virus sometime this year.

Stay tuned.