The Baltimore Ravens had arguably the most well-known COVID-19 outbreak of the 2020 NFL season, and definitely the largest thus far. In the aftermath of the outbreak, the NFL has fined the Ravens $250,000 but did not dock the team any draft picks for breaking the league’s COVID-19 protocols, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Baltimore had disciplined a strength and conditioning coach quickly after the outbreak started. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted the coach failed to report his symptoms and hadn’t consistently worn a mask or tracking device. In turn, the Ravens placed 28 players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list following their Week 11 game against the Tennessee Titans, causing their Week 12 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Week 13 game against the Dallas Cowboys to be rescheduled multiple times. They had only placed two players — Nigel Warrior and Trace McSorley — on the Reserve/COVID-19 list prior to the outbreak.
While some fans might be outraged at the punishment doled out, it’s worth remembering that the Titans were fined $350,000 for violating the NFL’s protocols for practicing after the league told them not to. Both the Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints had draft picks taken away in addition to a fine but had been repeat offenders.
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