NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 19: National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a press conference on September 19, 2014 inside the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City. Goodell took the time to address personal conduct issues in the NFL (Image: Getty)
A memo sent to all teams in the NFL mandate that it will not allow games to be rescheduled in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak this upcoming season.
The memo explains that if a team is forced to cancel a game due to COVID-19 infections among its non-vaccinated players, the team will have to forfeit the contest and be credited with a loss, per the NFL’s memo. Organizations that cause cancelations in 2021 could also face discipline from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
The memo is the latest and strongest incentive yet for players to get the vaccine. The memo was shared by NFL Insider Tom Pelissero on Twitter.
The memo also states that there will be severe consequences for individuals as well as teams, including salaries being withheld in the event of a game cancelation. “If a game is canceled and cannot be rescheduled within the current 18-week schedule due to a Covid outbreak, neither team’s players will receive their weekly paragraph 5 salary,” the memo says.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
Last season, COVID-19 outbreaks forced many postponements, but all teams managed to play the entire 16-game schedule. There were no postponements in the playoffs and the Super Bowl was held as scheduled.
The 2021 season will open with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, September 9.
The "Tush Push," which has been one of the most highly debated plays in football…
Carmelo Anthony, a ten-time NBA All-Star, has been elected into the Naismith Basketball Hall of…
The Memphis Grizzlies lost their fourth straight game on Tuesday night, falling to the Golden…
Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant exited Sunday's game against the Houston Rockets with a left…
The Dallas Cowboys have offered Micah Parsons a contract that would make him the highest-paid…
After deciding to say goodbye to 17 players in the offseason through free agency, trade…