Report: Saints, Patriots hit with heavy fines for COVID-19 breaches
The NFL fined the New Orleans Saints $500,000 and docked a seventh-round draft pick for failing to wear masks during their postgame locker room celebrations after beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38-3 in Week 9, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.
New Orleans reportedly appealed the decision, as the club believes the NFL has overlooked other teams who've committed similar offenses.
The league also fined the New England Patriots $350,000 for protocol violations stemming from issues in October when Cam Newton and Stephon Gilmore, among others, tested positive, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Video of Saints players and head coach Sean Payton dancing without masks went viral after their win over their NFC South rivals, including since-deleted ones posted to the team's official account.
A look inside the #Saints locker room... Sean Payton dancing away.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) November 9, 2020
(via @Julie_Boudwin) pic.twitter.com/HJHadeDn7W
New Orleans is the second NFL team to be handed significant draft-related punishments for failing to adhere to the league's COVID-19 protocols.
The Las Vegas Raiders were fined $500,000 and lost a sixth-round pick for their protocol failures, while the Tennessee Titans were docked $350,000 for violations that led to the league's first outbreak early in the season. The Steelers were also fined $350,000 for not wearing face coverings in their first matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.
New Orleans, like Las Vegas, had already drawn the league's ire for previous COVID-19 protocol violations. Payton was fined $100,000 and the Saints $250,000 because the head coach failed to wear a mask during the club's Week 2 loss to the Raiders.