NFL's Raiders Living Up To Outlaw Image, But Not Wearing Masks

It’s been a tough week for the Las Vegas Raiders, who were defeated soundly by the New England Patriots and now face questions about potentially violating the NFL’s coronavirus safety protocols.

Several Las Vegas players were seen not wearing masks at a charity event held Monday night by Raiders tight end Darren Waller. The DragonRidge Country Club in Henderson, Nevada, where the Darren Waller Foundation fundraiser took place, was fined $2,000 Tuesday for violating the state’s COVID-19 emergency directives.

The agreement between the league and the NFL Players Association stipulates that players who contract the coronavirus after engaging in “high risk” behavior could potentially be docked a paycheck. Activities that fall under this category include an indoor party of more than 15 people or an indoor religious service with more than 25% capacity.

The venue where the Raiders’ players were Monday was fined in part because more than 50 people were in attendance and masks weren’t worn.

Whether in Oakland, Los Angeles or now Las Vegas, the Raiders have long celebrated their image as the league's rogues or bad boys. But the team's owner was not pleased with the latesrt incident.

“We obviously take responsibility for this,” Raiders owner Mark Davis told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “You don’t like seeing this. I don’t know that it’s actually been built into our memories that you have to wear a mask. Our organization takes it very seriously.”

Raiders coach Jon Gruden was reportedly among five NFL head coaches fined $100,000 for not wearing a mask on the sidelines during a Week 2 game. Las Vegas was fined $250,000 as a team.

Gruden is appealing the fine, NFL Network first reported. The coach has said he contracted the coronavirus before the season began.

The league is starting to struggle with COVID-19.

Four players and five personnel on the Tennessee Titans have tested positive for the coronavirus this week. Tennessee’s facility has been shut down until Saturday, leaving the status of the Titans’ game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday unclear.

The Minnesota Vikings have halted in-person activities after playing the Titans in Week 3. No Minnesota players have tested positive yet.