After warning teams last week there would be repercussions for violating the league’s face-covering rules, the NFL fined three coaches and their teams more than $1 million in all for not wearing masks on the sideline during Week 2 games.
San Francisco’s Kyle Shanahan, Denver’s Vic Fangio and Seattle’s Pete Carroll were fined $100,000 apiece for disregarding the league’s mask policy on Monday, and their respective organizations were docked $250,000 each. Add it all up and the fines total $1.05 million.
“It’s consistent with the message,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told USA Today on Monday night. “You can’t let up. We’ve got to consistently do the things that have gotten us to this place and not think, ‘Okay, things have gone so well, so it’s okay now.’ It’s not. You’ve got to stay on your toes and we’ve got to continue to be disciplined.”
It will be interesting to see if the league hands down more fines after New Orleans coach Sean Payton rarely seemed to have his mask on during his team’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football. Though not as bad as Payton, Las Vegas coach Jon Gruden also seemed to have his mask around his neck instead of on his mouth quite frequently during the broadcast.
Gruden was asked about the fines and his mask-wearing after Vegas knocked off the Saints on MNF.
“I’m doing my best,” Gruden said. “You know, I’ve had the virus, okay? I’m doing my best. I’m very sensitive about it but I’m calling plays. I just want to communicate in these situations. I apologize and if I get fined, I will have to pay the fine. But I’m very sensitive about all of that and I apologize.”
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