WASHINGTON (TND) — The National Football League has suspended three players after they reportedly violated the league’s COVID-19 protocol.
According to a statement from the NFL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown and teammate Mike Edwards are suspended without pay for the next three games. John Franklin III, a free agent, is also ineligible to play in the next three games if he is signed by a team.
The organization said Thursday that the players “misrepresented their vaccination status,” therefore violating the organization’s COVID rules.
In a joint statement, the NFL and NFL Players Association said, “The health and safety of players and personnel is our top priority. The protocols were jointly developed working with our respective experts to ensure that we are practicing and playing football as safely as possible during the ongoing pandemic. The NFL-NFLPA jointly reinforce their commitment and further emphasize the importance of strict adherence to the protocols to protect the well-being of everyone associated with the NFL.”
