There is one lingering question about Cam Newton’s Covid infraction: Whose misunderstanding was it?
The Patriots announced Newton’s five-day absence with a brief statement Monday, saying the quarterback traveled to a team-approved medical appointment away from New England last weekend, and there was a “misunderstanding” about testing procedures. All Covid tests not administered by the NFL’s approved lab are not accepted by the league.
Unvaccinated players are vaccinated daily.
The Patriots conveniently released their statement about Newton just after Bill Belichick had spoken, allowing the head coach to dodge questions about the matter. But with Newton back at practice Thursday, the Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy tried to cut through some of the club’s press release-speak.
He got Belichick to admit Newton didn’t violate any team rules, but couldn’t get Belichick to provide more information, such as who was responsible for the error. Here is a snippet of the exchange:
Shaughnessy: “OK, it’s just, for us, it allows the possibility that he either went without permission or someone didn’t know the rule, which is very unlike you guys. And I know it’s important to be at practice and he’s a pivotal guy on your team, so it just leaves us a little bit out there as to the motivation for why he did this and if he knew, and if you knew, or if he went against team rules.”
Belichick: “No, he didn’t go against team rules. But there was a misunderstanding and it’s exactly what I said it was in the statement.”
Shaughnessy: “So he was unaware he would lose the five days?”
Belichick: “It’s exactly what I said it was in the statement.”
It’s not surprising that Belichick is unwilling to throw a player, or himself under the bus. He also still appears to be covering for Newton, insisting no team rules were broken.
But the fact is: somebody didn’t know NFL procedure. The Patriots pride themselves on paying attention to detail and not handicapping themselves.
This was an unforced error.
The NFL’s policies for unvaccinated players are restrictive and stringent, mandating they wear masks at all times throughout team facilities and curtailing nearly all social behavior. Bills wideout Isaiah McKenzie, who was fined $14,650 not wearing a mask at Buffalo’s facility, shared his disciplinary letter. It shows just how closely unvaccinated players are being watched.
With such draconian guidelines, Newton is another small infraction away from missing five more days, or worse. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reserves the power to suspend repeat offenders for up to four games.
Belichick won’t say who didn’t know the rules, or if Newton ignored them. Whatever the case, this better be cleaned up when the season begins. The Patriots were sloppy here.
