NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

MEMORANDUM

To: Chief Executives

Club Presidents
General Managers
Head Coaches
Head Team Physicians
Head Athletic Trainers
Club Infection Control Officers
Club Counsel

From: Football Operations

NFL Management Council
Player Health & Safety

Date: November 23, 2020

Subject: COVID-19 Protocol Updates

As the Commissioner advised in his November 18 memorandum, we have continued to work

with our experts and the NFLPA to identify additional measures that will limit risk of exposure and
permit us to safely and responsibly complete this season, particularly in light of the increased number
of cases of COVID-19 in our communities. This memorandum sets forth enhancements to the
Protocols related to: (i) physical distancing and mask-wearing on game day; (ii) reduction in the
number of persons permitted to travel; and (iii) reclassification and reduction of non-player staff
permitted at Club facilities. The first two enhancements will take effect at the start of Week 12 (i.e.,
Thanksgiving Day games) and the third enhancement will take effect on Monday, November 30.

Game Day Mask Requirement/Post-Game Interaction

Beginning with Week 12 games, players who are not substituting or preparing to enter the
field of play and are not wearing their helmets will be required to wear a mask or a double-layered
gaiter on the sidelines.

The requirement for play callers will now be consistent with all other coaches who choose to
wear a face shield (i.e., face masks or double layered gaiters in addition to the face shield). As a
reminder, the home team is required to provide 250 disposable surgical masks on each sideline.

In addition, post-game interactions between players and/or staff will be limited. At the
conclusion of the game, players and team personnel must wear masks and may briefly exchange
greetings with the opposing team before promptly proceeding to their respective locker rooms.
 These rules will take effect beginning with the Thanksgiving Day games and continue
throughout the remainder of the season. Players who fail to wear masks on the sidelines will be
subject to discipline. Clubs are required to enforce these rules. Violations by players and/or staff
will result in accountability measures being imposed upon the Club. It is strongly recommended that
each Club designate one or two individuals in the Bench Area to ensure compliance with these rules.

Player Travel Party/Game Eligible Designation

Also effective in Week 12, the maximum number of players that may travel will be reduced
to 62 players. Any player who travels to a game—even if the player is not eligible to play in the
game (e.g., a player on Reserve/Injured), will count against the 62-player maximum. To ensure
competitive equity, the participating teams must submit a list of players that they wish to designate
as eligible to attend and/or play (up to a maximum of 62 players) via the Smart Sheet that can be
found at: no later than
4:00 pm New York Time on the day prior to Game Day. A player not listed may not participate or
attend the game. This list will not be shared with the opposing team. This rule will take effect
beginning with the Thanksgiving Day games and continue throughout the remainder of the season.

In addition, beginning with Week 13 games, all members of a Club’s Traveling Party will be
required to wear N95 or KN95 masks on the team plane and on the team bus.

Club Facility Staffing

As of Monday, November 30, access to Club facilities will be limited to the following
personnel while coaches and players are present:

 Essential Football Personnel

Only personnel designated as Essential Football Personnel shall be permitted at
club facility when coaches and players are present. 70-person maximum (no
switching in and out of designation). The Club will have discretion as to which
personnel to designate as Essential Football Personnel but we strongly recommend
that this designation be limited to: coaches, equipment managers, athletic trainers,
IT support, football, video staff, and daily medical staff (Club internal medicine
physician and orthopedist).
 Protocol Support: Club ICO, 2 Protocol support personnel and Team
Clinician (mental health) do not count against the 70-person maximum and
are permitted at the facility while players and coaches are present.
 All Essential Football Personnel must test daily and wear Kinexon trackers
at all times while at the facility.

 Essential Support Personnel

Permitted to access the building, however must have limited to no contact or
interaction with Essential Football Personnel. 25 Maximum, limited to the
following personnel:
o Food Preparation Staff
o Security
 o Field Personnel
o Cleaning Staff
o Club Communications Staff (if not already accounted for in the 70-
Essential Football Personnel; minimum of 3 required)
o Club Media (Maximum of 1)
 All Essential Support Personnel must be tested daily. If daily testing is
prohibited by union or other restrictions, please contact Meghan Carroll.
 Kinexon devices are required at all times while in facility.

 Other Medical/Special Services.

Clubs may designate up to 5 individuals from the following disciplines, to enter
the facility each week to provide services to players:
o Medical consultants (chiropractors, specialists)
o Massage Therapists
o Barbers
 All individuals designated in this category must have a negative PCR (BRL
lab) and negative POC/PCR (Mesa) at least 12 hours apart prior to entry.
All such individuals must provide services to players while wearing a face
shield and either an N95 or KN95 mask. Players must wear surgical grade
masks at all times while receiving services. Services should be provided
in a way that is physically distant from other personnel.
 Each Club must provide a list of individuals designated for such access for
the week by Monday at 9 a.m. local time to the Management Council (Attn.
Meghan Carroll).

 Media (formerly Tier 2M and Tier 3OA)

Clubs may permit up to 15 members of Club and non-Club affiliated media to
attend practices held outside. If requested, network production crew members
must be granted access to outdoor practice as part of the media allotment of 15.
Non-Club affiliated media may not enter club facility (including the indoor
practice bubble). No other individuals may attend practice. Up to 5 of these
individuals may be Club-affiliated media and may attend practice in the indoor
practice bubble, but such individuals must be tested daily.
All personnel not designated as Essential Football, Essential Support or Other Medical/Special
Services must work remotely or at a location physically separate from the facility housing players
and coaches and are prohibited from interacting with Essential Football Personnel at any time. This
restriction will take effect on Monday, November 30, however Clubs are strongly encouraged to
implement as soon as possible. Clubs are permitted to submit a plan demonstrating the physical
separation of essential and all other personnel if the Club intends to house non-essential individuals
at the facility.

As always, please reach out to any member of the Football Operations, Management Council
or Health and Safety staff with any questions. We appreciate your continued efforts and dedication
to safely completing the 2020 season.