The NFL fines Aaron Rodgers and Allen Lazard for failing to follow Covid-19 protocols

The Packers were fined $ 300,000, while Rodgers and Lazard were fined $ 14,650 each, under the disciplinary program negotiated by the NFL and NFL Players Association.

The NFL ruled that Rodgers and Lazard attended a Halloween party despite being unvaccinated, a violation of protocols that prohibited unvaccinated players from gathering outside team facilities in a group of more than three players.

The NFL said that while the team did not sanction the party, they were aware of the party after the fact and were fined for failing to report violations to the NFL and for failing to discipline Rodgers and Lazard.

Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy told CNN, “We respect the League’s achievements and recognize the importance of adhering to COVID protocols to keep our team and organization safe and healthy. We will continue to educate the team about it. importance of the protocols and we remain committed to operating within the protocols “.

The league noted that the Packers were fully cooperative with the NFL investigation, which revealed other occasions where the Packers have failed to strictly enforce NFL-NFLPA Covid-19 protocols.

A review of the video from inside the Packers facility showed isolated cases of Rodgers and Allen Lazard not wearing a mask, but determined that there were no widespread or systemic violations of wearing the mask.

The NFL also noted that unvaccinated Rodgers should have worn a mask during press conferences.

The Packers were briefed on subsequent NFL violations that could result in further discipline, including possible change of draft position or loss of draft picks. Players have also been warned that further violations could result in future discipline.

The fines come as Rodgers has already faced scrutiny after comments he made on “The Pat McAfee Show” about his vaccination status and being “in the sights of the awake crowd right now” about his vaccination status. He said he took “full responsibility” for Tuesday’s comments.

Rodgers’ $ 134,000,000 four-year contract with Green Bay includes a $ 57,500,000 signing bonus, $ 98,700,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $ 33,500,000, according to the Spotrac website.

CNN’s David Close contributed to this report.