Can the NFL suspend the Raiders players for not wearing their masks at an event? YES, THEY CAN

If you have not heard the story about the Raiders players doing a charity event on Monday night in Henderson, Nevada, there have been many questions as to what the NFL can do for the violations. Well according to Pro Football Talk, there are two tiers and players can be suspended for not following the rules. Let’s break down the rules here:

First, non-players in Tier 1 and Tier 2 can be fined or suspended for committing any of the following violations of the COVID-19 protocols:

(1) refusing to submit to COVID-19 testing;

(2) refusing to wear a mask or other required personal protection equipment;

(3) refusing to wear the tracking device; and

(4) refusing to maintain physical distancing in the team facility or while traveling with the team.

Second, non-players in Tier 1 and Tier 2 can be fined or suspended for engaging in certain high-risk behaviors, such as:

(1) attending an indoor night club unless wearing PPE and there are no more than 10 people present;

(2) attending an indoor bar (other than to pick up food) unless wearing PPE and there are no more than 10 people in the bar;

(3) attending house gatherings of more than 15 people without all guests wearing masks or PPE or where social distancing for more than 10 people is impossible;

(4) attending an indoor music concert/entertainment event;

(5) attending a professional sporting event (other than applicable NFL games or events) unless seated in a separated seating section, such as a suite or owner’s box, wearing PPE, and there are no more than 10 people in that separate seating section; and

(6) attending an event that is prohibited by state and/or local regulation, executive order or law implemented due to COVID-19.

The Raiders organization has already admitted they were wrong, and took responsibility, but will that be enough?

The event host, the DragonRidge Country Club, already has been fined $2,000 by the city of Henderson for four violations of the state’s COVID-19 emergency directives. The players are waiting to learn their fate for potential violations of similar NFL regulations.

There were 100 people at the event that is twice the limit allowed in the State of Nevada.

Right now with COVID-19 outbreaks in Tennessee, and a new case this morning breaking out in Tennessee, the NFL has to do something to hold people accountable. The NFL/NFLPA is fining coaches hundreds of thousands for taking their masks off for a couple seconds during a game. This is a community event with hundreds of people and the players are not wearing masks. That is not very good for the Raiders. I know the cause was for something positive, but the NFL will have to do something.