COVID-19 Outbreaks Among Unvaccinated NFL Players Will Make Them Lose Games

The NFL made a stance last Thursday regarding vaccination among players. In a memo released, the league told clubs that it would not prolong the season to accommodate a COVID-19 epidemic among unvaccinated players, which would necessitate a game cancellation.

If a game cannot be rescheduled due to a COVID-19 epidemic among unvaccinated players throughout the 18-week schedule, the team with the outbreak will forfeit and be credited with a loss.

This is another huge incentive for players to get vaccinated in order to help their teams with the upcoming 2021 season. Earlier this month, the NFL announced that only teams with over 85% of vaccinated players can return to all of their ordinary activities, making clear the league’s priority to boost vaccination efforts. 

In case a COVID outbreak happens among unvaccinated players, both teams’ players will not be economically compensated for the lost game, and the team responsible for the canceled game due to unvaccinated players will cover financial damages and be subject to potential discipline from the Commissioner’s office.

In case a COVID outbreak happens among vaccinated players, the measures of the league will soften a lot, as it said on the memo released:

“We will seek to minimize the burden on the opposing club or clubs. If a club cannot play due to a Covid spike in vaccinated individuals, we will attempt to minimize the competitive and economic burden on both participating teams.”

Both Texas teams are struggling with their vaccination efforts, neither the Houston Texans nor the Dallas Cowboys have achieved the 85% rate that the league set to allow all activities. Earlier this week, Hall of Famer Michael Irvin criticized Cowboys that aren’t getting vaccinated and calling them out for not wanting their team to be in the best possible position.