In response to a series of on-field altercations during recent games, the NFL has issued a stern warning to all 32 teams, emphasizing that fighting before and during games will result in “significant” penalties.
The league’s memo, sent to top executives and head coaches this week, highlights the importance of maintaining sportsmanship and respect in NFL football.
NFL: Enough field scuffles
The memo, which reiterates the league’s warmup rules, comes on the heels of several incidents that marred recent games.
Altercations involving players from the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns, the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills on “Sunday Night Football,” and the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers on “Monday Night Football,” have prompted the league to take a decisive stance on the matter.
Even the international stage wasn’t exempt, as two players in the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans game in London were also involved in fights.
The NFL’s message is clear: “Fighting is never acceptable, as it risks unnecessary injury to players, coaches, officials, and other game day personnel. These actions send an inappropriate and unacceptable message to players, coaches, and fans at all other levels of the game,” the memo stated.
The league asserts that sportsmanship and respect are fundamental values in NFL football and that fighting contradicts these principles.
NFL will enforce strong penalties for fighting
To enforce this message, the NFL has outlined strict penalties for those who engage in altercations before or during a game.
Players or club personnel involved in a fight may face ejection, suspension, and a “significant fine.”
The league has also warned that clubs could face forfeiture of draft picks and/or significant fines if their players or personnel engage in a fight.
Those who join an existing fight could be subject to even more severe accountability measures, according to ESPN’s report on the memo.
The NFL intends to “strongly enforce” its game-day policies on fighting, reminding teams to adhere to warm-up rules that require them to stay within their own 45-yard lines prior to kickoff.
The NFL plans to closely review video footage to identify any violations of its fighting policies.
Fines have already been imposed on the parties involved, with some players receiving fines of up to $33,317 for their actions.
Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celeb News
Marca
