The New Orleans Saints will be incurring huge losses due to the COVID-19 violations that they committed all throughout the 2020 season. They will reportedly forfeit their sixth-round draft pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and will be charged a hefty fine of $700,000, per NFL‘s Ian Rapoport.
From the NFL: The #Saints will forfeit their sixth-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft and will be fined $700,000 for violations of the NFL-NFLPA COVID protocols during the 2020 season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 20, 2021
In Week 2 of the season, both the Saints organization and head coach Sean Payton were fined $250,000 and $100,000, respectively, for their failure to wear proper face masks in a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The New Orleans-based club was also penalized for their maskless celebration in the locker room after emerging victorious in a 38-3 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9. Due to their failure to comply with the league's protocols, the Saints were charged with a fine of $500,000 along with the forfeiture of their future seventh-round draft pick.
Towards the end of the regular season, Saints running back Alvin Kamara became a casualty as he tested positive for COVID-19. The entire running back room was deemed as high-close contacts which led to the unit's absence in Week 17 against the Carolina Panthers where the Saints won, 33-7.
Kamara eventually made his return in the opening round of the playoffs when his team hosted the visiting Chicago Bears. The fines are an indication that the league puts an emphasis on the importance of following COVID-19 protocols, especially in a season that was played in the middle of a global pandemic.
Aside from New Orleans, the Raiders are finding themselves in hot water as well after committing several violations throughout the season. As of the moment, it remains to be seen if the Saints organization will make an appeal for the heavy punishment that was handed down on them.
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