Are Jon Gruden and Sean Payton going to be the next coaches slammed by NFL with mask fines?
The NFL made it pretty clear on Monday that it wasn’t messing around when it came to coaches not wearing masks on the sideline in 2020.
Three head coaches — the Seattle Seahawks’ Pete Carroll, the Denver Broncos’ Vic Fangio and San Francisco 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan — were all fined a whopping $100,000 each, and their three teams docked $250,000 for violating protocol, per USA TODAY Sports. All 32 teams were previously warned about violations resulting in discipline.
And after Monday night’s New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders matchup, there could be more fines coming.
The Raiders’ Jon Gruden did wear a mask, but it was mostly around his chin all night:
Scowling chin mask Gruden is everything pic.twitter.com/8uGzP4LAFQ
— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) September 22, 2020
I don’t think Gruden cares if the #NFL is fining for not wearing his mask correctly. pic.twitter.com/cOYLomRwE7
— Tres Winn (@TresWinn) September 22, 2020
David, show us where Jon Gruden’s mask been all night pic.twitter.com/7FEGQwxO2b
— Breaux Mart (@BreauxMart) September 22, 2020
Saints head coach Sean Payton, meanwhile, appeared to be wearing a gaiter that was around his neck:
Sean Payton should just write $100k for check for not wearing his mask and give it to the NFL at the stadium https://t.co/yJqI83aexw pic.twitter.com/B2OR86M2Xl
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) September 22, 2020
@NFL Considering that millions of ppl watch your games each week, it would be great if your coaches set a good example and wore their masks as required by your rules. I've yet to see a shot of Sean Payton w/ his mask on. Maybe one of these two refs could mention it to him? pic.twitter.com/3JfLnblJiv
— Alebeard (@AlebeardTV) September 22, 2020
Payton, as we know, battled COVID-19 back in March.
After the Raiders’ win on Monday, Gruden revealed he already had COVID-19 and apologized for not wearing the mask properly during the game. From USA TODAY Sports:
“I’m doing my best. … I’m very sensitive about it. I’m calling the plays,” Gruden said. “I apologize. If I get fined, I will have to pay the fine.”