The league and its union outlined dramatic differences in training camp and preseason protocols, for players vaccinated and not vaccinated against COVID-19.
The NFL Y NFL Players Association have agreed to extend their COVID-19 from two levels to training camp and preseason, maintaining severe restrictions for unvaccinated players, but removing almost all restrictions for those fully vaccinated.
In a memo distributed Wednesday, the teams also received details about the media and fan access to training camp and preseason games, as well as the table of fines for players who violate specific protocols. But the most important issue was how the NFL Y NFLPA they would treat players and coaches who declined to be vaccinated, or who were not fully vaccinated – with the “fully” meaning at least two weeks after the most recent dose – when camps open next month.
The NFL decided long ago not forcing players to get vaccinated, and a number of them, high-profile, have said in recent weeks that they have not received a single dose. Although those players will be allowed to participate in practices and games, the memorandum outlines a series of protocols that, in essence, will create two teams within each organization.
According to the communication, any player who is not fully vaccinated will continue to be subject to:
Vaccinated players will not face any of those restrictions. They will be required to submit to tests once every 14 days.
The memo also directed teams to keep their fans at least 20 feet away from players and coaches during training camp. That means autograph signing and photography will not be allowed. Fully vaccinated members of the media will have access to personal interviews with social distancing, but subsequent access to the locker room will be limited to team, NFL and NFL Films media.
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