Nov 5, 2020; Santa Clara, California, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur looks on during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

New NFL protocols allow quicker return for vaccinated players

The NFL announced changes in its COVID-19 protocols Thursday aimed at stemming the avalanche of positive tests the league has seen this week.

“Effective immediately, all clubs will implement preventative measures that have proven effective: masking regardless of vaccination status, remote or outdoor meetings, eliminating in-person meals, and no outside visitors while on team travel,” the league said in a statement. “We will continue to strongly encourage the booster shots as the most effective protection.

“Finally, and based on expert advice, we will adjust the return-to-participation requirements for those who have recovered from COVID-19.”

Under the new regulations, fully vaccinated players will be able to return from quarantine after a positive test more quickly, which could help the NFL’s hardest-hit teams — Cleveland, Washington and the Los Angeles Rams — ensure they have enough players for games.

Under the protocols in place all season, vaccinated players — or staff members — must test negative twice, 24 hours apart, before being allowed to return.

Under the new rules, fully vaccinated players or staff can “test out” of the protocols under one of three complex testing scenarios and with the provision they are asymptomatic for at least 24 hours.

Fully vaccinated individuals will continue to be tested weekly. The unvaccinated will test daily.

The new protocols also prohibit in-person meetings, including between coaches and players, unless they are outdoors or in a practice bubble with physical distancing required.

In addition, the number of players who can be in the weight room at one time can’t exceed 15.

“All of these changes are grounded in our data and science-backed approach, with safety our number-one goal for the entire NFL community,” the league statement read.

NFL Network reported Wednesday that about 100 players have tested positive over the past three days, although many are asymptomatic or are exhibiting mild symptoms.

–Field Level Media

Jul 14, 2021; Arlington, TX, USA;  Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby speaks to the media during Big 12 media days at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Bob Bowlsby: No decision yet on Big 12 COVID protocols for ’21

Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby on Wednesday said the conference has yet to establish COVID-19 protocols for the upcoming football season but added that any unvaccinated athlete will be in the testing protocol.

Bowlsby made the comments to open Big 12 Media Days in Arlington, Texas, and encouraged everyone — especially student-athletes — to get vaccinated. However, Bowlsby also said the league cannot mandate vaccinations for its athletes.

“Frankly, anyone not getting vaccinated is taking unnecessary and unwarranted risks,” Bowlsby said. “That’s not just student-athletes but anyone in society. … I think it’s very short-sighted to not get vaccinated.”

Bowlsby said the Big 12 will have COVID-19 protocols in place in 30 days.

“Frankly, we’re not excited to think about having to have protocols,” Bowlsby said. “But we’re also not unprepared.”

Big 12 conference play opens Sept. 18 with Baylor at Kansas.

–Field Level Media

Nov 7, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Fans storm the field after the Notre Dame Fighting Irish defeated the Clemson Tigers 47-40 in two overtimes. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame toughens rules after students storm field

Notre Dame is requiring all students to undergo a mandatory COVID-19 test before they can leave campus for the holidays and implementing other tough protocols in the wake of actions following the football team’s nationally televised victory over No. 1 Clemson on Saturday night.

Fans, mostly students, stormed the field at Notre Dame Stadium after the Fighting Irish’s 47-40 double-overtime victory over the Tigers and drew immediate criticism on social media. Many revelers in the throng were not wearing face coverings.

About 11,000 people, mostly students, attended the game in South Bend, Ind., while others gathered in groups to watch the game elsewhere.

In an email to the campus Sunday night, the Rev. John Jenkins, the university president, said the students must undergo testing before the break. Any positive tests will result in a mandatory quarantine before they can leave for their home communities.

Students hosting “large gatherings” also face punishment.

Failure to follow protocols will result in students being unable to register for spring classes, according to the university.

“As exciting as last night’s victory against Clemson was, it was very disappointing to see evidence of widespread disregard of our health protocols at many gatherings over the weekend,” Jenkins said in his message.

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick told The Tribune in South Bend, Ind., that the school had prepared for several scenarios and put measures in place, including extra security. But as the students stormed the field, the university had to move to get players and staff from both teams off the field as quickly as possible.

“If this happens,” Swarbrick said, “you get this mass incoming, you have to let people come or you’re going to have broken bones and other problems.”

After the win, the Irish (7-0) moved to No. 2 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. That seemed improbable earlier this season when Notre Dame was forced to stop football activities amid a COVID-19 outbreak on the team.

Jenkins, himself, contracted the virus after attending an event at the White House in September and failing to wear a mask. On Thursday night, the Notre Dame Faculty Senate passed a resolution that expressed “disappointment” in the president.

–Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott watches from the sidelines wearing a face mask in the first  half against the Buffalo Bills at Allegiant Stadium. The Bills defeated the Raiders 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFL issues stricter new COVID-19 protocols

The NFL issued a stricter set of COVID-19 protocols Monday following a Tennessee Titans outbreak and other positive tests that disrupted the Week 4 schedule.

Commissioner Roger Goodell’s office issued a two-page memo detailing the changes following a conference call with officials from every team. The memo says violations that affect the schedule could lead to a loss of draft picks or even a forfeit.

Changes include longer onboarding process for free agent tryouts, bans on gatherings outside the club facility, limitations on the number of tryouts permitted per week, and the implementation of a league-wide video-monitoring system to ensure compliance with the protocols — “particularly the mandate that all staff and players wear PPE while in a club facility and on travel at all times.”

Goodell said protocol violations that result in virus spread and lead to disruptions in the schedule “will result in additional financial and competitive discipline, including the adjustment or loss of draft choices or even the forfeit of a game.”

“Simply put, compliance is mandatory,” the memo says.

Other steps to minimize risks discussed during the call include holding all meetings virtually, wearing masks and shields during practices and walk-throughs, decreasing the size of the travel party and reducing the time spent in locker rooms and lunchrooms.

A total of 20 Titans players and staff members have tested positive since Sept. 24. Tennessee’s Week 4 game with the Pittsburgh Steelers was postponed to Oct. 25.

Sunday’s New England Patriots-Kansas City Chiefs game was pushed back to Monday night after both teams had one positive test, including Patriots quarterback Cam Newton.

–Field Level Media

Feb 26, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys’ Safe Stadium Policy features masks, ‘pods’

The Dallas Cowboys divulged their plan to make AT&T Stadium as safe as possible for their fans in the 2020 season amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

After Cowboys owner Jerry Jones revealed Wednesday the intention to host fans at games in the upcoming season, the team announced their “Safe Stadium Policy” on Thursday which will include a reduced stadium capacity with tickets distributed in seat blocks known as pods. The seating arrangement is established to maintain distance “between groups who are not known to one another.”

Per the team’s release, fans will be required to “maintain pod integrity by only transferring tickets to family or friends within their trusted group.”

Fans will be required to wear masks, and any purchase of food, beverage, parking and retail is required to be completed through major credit and debit cards — no cash.

“These are challenging and unprecedented times for our country, our community, and our Cowboys fans at home in Texas and all around the world,” Cowboys executive vice president Charlotte Jones said in the release. “Amidst the difficulties brought on by COVID-19, our focus has been to safely bring football back to our community. We are deeply grateful for the patience, understanding, and support our fans have shown during these historic and turbulent times as we continue to prepare for a successful season.

“Bringing football back will require the ultimate team effort, and we are so proud of the hard work our front line professionals have put in at the stadium and across our organization to ensure our fans, players, and employees have a safe and rewarding experience.”

–Field Level Media