2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations 2 SIGNIFICANT UPDATES IN 2022 There are several significant policy changes that will take effect starting with the 2022 season. Please note that the below are just summaries of the noteworthy changes, and you should carefully review each policy in full. 1. The Integrity of the Game policy has further clarified conduct detrimental to include any offer, agreement, conspiracy, or attempt to influence the outcome of any game. (A6) 2. Each club is required to designate a Game Day Technology Liaison, who is responsible for overseeing the club’s game day football technology functions and serving as the point of contact for all technology-related issues. ( A8 ) 3. Game Day Technology Liaisons and Coach-to-Coach (C2C) Technicians (Yellow Hats) are now required to complete the Game Day Certification. ( A8 ) 4. t is the responsibility of the home club to confirm with the visiting club if traveling female staff require a locker I room. (A11) 5. Clubs are required to provide sufficient wireless internet access in the Officials’ locker rooms (male and female) to support game video downloads, virtual meetings, game report uploading, etc. (A13) 6. Clubs must submit for approval a comprehensive outline of radio use by any club personnel who are located in club-controlled areas by July 30. (A14) 7. The Emergency Blind is intended to provide privacy during circumstances where an individual may be undergoing on-field care for life-threatening medical emergencies or catastrophic injury. (A15) 8. GSIS statistics will be integrated into all SVS tablets (coaches booth and bench area), which will mirror NFLgsis.com and the traditional paper printouts provided to coaches on game day. (A21) The requirement to distribute paper statistics to coaches booths will remain in effect. 9. During field goal and extra point attempts, all video and ribbon boards must show either a static image or an All-22 shot. (A23) 10. The use of any club logos, marks, and/or colors are prohibited on visiting club benches. This prohibition applies to the home club placing their own marks on the visiting club benches and the visiting club ordering benches from a vendor with their own marks, logos, and colors on the benches. (A42) 11. f a coaches booth (home or visitors) is located adjacent to a club executive, football personnel, or club ownership I booth, the window(s) must be frosted up to eye-level; temporary privacy measures are prohibited. (A20) 12. Medical tents must be positioned within the bench area and in a designated location approved by NFL Football Operations. (A42) 13. A Pregame Field Security Meeting must be held prior to the official team warm-up period to review the responsibilities of the field incursion team, sideline incursion response protocol, field of play incursion response protocol, and any known areas of risk or concern around the perimeter of the playing field. (A55) 14. The prohibition of electronic devices in the coaches booth, bench areas, in the locker rooms, or in any other club-controlled area will now begin at kickoff and continue through the end of the game, including halftime. (A65) 15. Football Operations staff, doctors, and members of the athletic training staff are prohibited from possessing/using wearable and/or Bluetooth devices (e.g., smart watch, wireless headphones, etc.) beginning at kickoff. (A65) 16. ndividuals that require the use of an electronic device to support an existing medical condition may request I permission to use that device on game day. (A65) 17. The televising network is permitted to use field sets during pregame, halftime, and postgame, provided the set and associated equipment meet specific requirements. (A97) 18. The use of alternate helmets is permitted subject to specific requirements. (A106) 19. Clubs are required to submit their rosters, including final jersey numbers, to the League office three days prior to their first regular season game. (A107) 20. The Uniform Policy has been updated to include enhanced discipline for players and clubs for pant length violations. Clubs will be held accountable for players with multiple game pant violations. (A108) 21. Clubs are no longer required to provide an Officiating video edit to the League office. (A112)
3 DEFINITIONS Art McNally Gameday Central (AMGC) – The League’s officiating center located in the League office, from which members of the officiating department monitor every game and consult with on-field officials when a review is initiated. C2C – Coaches’ communication system (Coach-to-Coach), which allows coaches on the field and in the booth to communicate with each other. C2P – Coach-to-Player communication system, which allows the offensive and defensive play caller to communicate with the designated player on the field. C2P Components – Module, speakers, and battery that comprise the C2P system within a designated player’s helmet. Allows a coach to communicate with a player. Dirty Network Feed – This feed is provided directly from the truck, which minimizes the lag relative to live action on the field. Field of Play/Playing Field – The area within the boundaries of where a player is considered in or out of bounds. Field Phones – Phones with a direct line to the Communication Cart in the team bench area. Football Operations Representative – A League employee serving as the on-site communication liaison between the game site and NFL Game Operations. This individual is located in the press box during the game. GDA – Game Day Assistant. Personnel employed for several different positions to support game day functions at each stadium. A majority are appointed by the League, while some are still appointed by the clubs. A chart of all GDAs is listed in the Game Operations Manual at A14 . Game Day Operations Center (GDOC) – The location of NFL Game Operations personnel on game day. Point of contact for issues that may arise on game day. Game Day Medical Radios – Radios used by medical and athletic training staff to communicate on game day, including team physicians, athletic training staffs, UNCs, AMP, and ATC Spotters. These radios are distributed by IVR Operators. Game Day Radios – Radios used by game day personnel to communicate on game day, with assigned channels for each group. The groups that utilize these radios include NFL Security Reps, Football Ops Rep, Instant Replay staff, ATC Spotters, Teal Hat, Green Hat, Purple Hats, Yellow Hats, and EFCs. Hawk-Eye Technology (Sony) – Game day video replay solution used by NFL Officiating and NFL Health & Safety to support game day video needs. K-Balls – Footballs used exclusively for kickoffs, safety kicks, punts, field goal attempts, and extra-point kicks during the game. Live Network Broadcast Feed – Often called the network return feed. Similar to the dirty network feed, but with a slight delay based on the transmission path. This is the feed that the television viewing audience receives. Official Team Warm-Up Period – The pregame period that begins at least one hour prior to the scheduled kickoff. Pre-Warm-Up Period – The pregame period that begins when the team arrives at the stadium and concludes at the start of the Official Team Warm-Up Period.
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations 4 GAME DAY ASSISTANTS PROVIDED BY NFL OFFICE Coach-to-Player (C2P) Cutoff Operator – 1 per game – located in the Press Box. Responsible for cutting off C2P communication via the cutoff switch device. Certified Athletic Trainer Spotter (ATC Spotter) – 2 per game – located in the IVRS booth. Responsible for observing play on the field and monitoring the broadcast feed of that game to identify players who may potentially be injured on a play, with an emphasis on concussions and other head and neck injuries. If the ATC Spotter observes a play that may have resulted in a concussion or head/neck injury, he or she may stop the game by calling a Medical Timeout. Coach-to-Player (C2P) Techs (Orange NFL Shield Hats) – 2 per game – located on each sideline. Responsible for overseeing the functionality of the C2P system on game day. Enhanced Audio Techs – 2 per game – NFL Films trained technicians who install and operate the enhanced audio mics that are embedded in the pads of two interior offensive linemen, per team, in every game. Event Frequency Coordinators (EFC – Orange EFC Hats) – 2-3 per game – located on the field or in the Press Box. Specialists tasked with monitoring for and clearing up interference caused to any NFL equipment during a game. EFCs will track and manage frequencies to keep the “in-stadium” frequency-dependent devices operational, such as the C2P & C2C systems, and account for interference from sources outside of the stadium, such as TV stations and other special events. Football Technology Rep (FTR – Gray Hat) – 1 per game – located on the field. On-site technician provided by Bexel stationed behind the visiting sideline during the game. Responsible for the proper operation of all sideline technology. Game Clock Operator – 1 per game – located in the Press Box. Responsible for operating the game clock. Hawk-Eye Tech – 1 per game – located in the Instant Replay booth. Technician responsible for pre-game setup and configuration of the Hawk-Eye replay systems for NFL Officiating and NFL Health and Safety. The technician will also act as a support liaison to technical troubleshooting and a resource on all operational best practices for end users of the technology. Injury Video Review Operators (IVR – Blue Hats) – 4 per game – 2 located in the IVRS booth and 2 located on the field (1 per sideline). Responsible for operating the IVR system, tagging plays at the direction of the ATC Spotters, and supporting club medical staff when reviewing injury video. Instant Replay Assistant – 1 per game – located in the Instant Replay booth. Assists the Replay Official with instant replay-related matters, including verbalizing the game situation, verifying pertinent information prior to every play, and assisting with other administrative duties. Instant Replay Field Communicator (Teal Hat) – 1 per game. The Field Communicator at each game is the communication link between the replay booth and the on-field Game Officials. The Field Communicator moves with the line of scrimmage in order to maintain communication with the Game Officials and has radio communication from the field to the Instant Replay Booth, the Football Operations Representative, and other League representatives in the press box. In an emergency situation, the Field Communicator is the communication link from the Football Operations Representative to the Referee. Instant Replay Field Operators – 3 per game – located on the field, one at each 20-yard line and one at the Field Review Station. During an instant replay review, the Operators provide the tablet and headset to the Referee to view the replays and communicate with the Replay Official and Officiating personnel in AMGC. Instant Replay Tech (Gray Hat) – 1 per game – located in the Instant Replay Booth. Responsible for ensuring that the Dirty Network Feed is functional on game day, confirming that both coaches booths have the correct video feed, and fielding any questions or concerns regarding the game feed in the coaches booths. Network Tech – 1 per game – Sets up and supports WiFi for Sideline Viewing System (SVS) as well as provides general network support for the game day areas. Orange Sleeves – 1 per game – located on the field. Network sideline commercial coordinator. Along with the Green Hat, responsible for coordinating television commercial breaks with the Referee. Play Clock Operator – 1 per game – located in the Press Box. Responsible for operating the play clock. Security Representative – 2 per game. A League office security representative from the home city on-site at each game to facilitate communication with local emergency and law enforcement agencies, and to assist, verify, and assess as necessary.
5 Sideline Television Coordinator (Green Hat) – 1 per game – located on the field. Direct liaison with the network’s sideline coordinator (Orange Sleeves). Responsible for coordinating TV commercial breaks with the Referee. Still Photo Techs (Purple Hats) – 4 per game – 2 located outside the coaches booths and 2 on the field (1 per sideline). Responsible for overseeing and servicing the still photo printing equipment and sideline viewing system on game day. Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultants (UNCs – Red Hats) – 3 per game – 2 on the field (1 per sideline) and 1 in the IVRS booth. Responsible for evaluating every player that is suspected of having a concussion before they are permitted to return. Each UNC must be an impartial physician, independent from any club. The Booth UNC may contact the club physician and Sideline UNC by radio if they observe a player clearly unstable or displaying signs of concussion. Uniform Inspectors – 2 per game – located on the field and/or the Press Box. Uniform Inspectors ensure that players from both clubs comply with the League’s uniform rules and notify clubs when a player is in violation of the uniform policy, both during the Official Pregame Warm-Up Period and in game. Video Operator – 1 per game – located in the Instant Replay booth. Responsible for general functions of the instant replay operation and management of the all-29 camera. PROVIDED BY CLUB Airway Management Physician (AMP – Red Hats) – 1 per game. Scheduled by the home club but must be neutral. Required to be certified in rapid sequence intubation. Coach-to-Coach Techs (C2C – Yellow Hats) – 3 per game. Provided by the home clubs with NFL Football Operations department approval. Required to set up, test, support, and break down the C2C system on game day. The visiting club’s technician will preside over the technician assigned by the home club to the visitor’s bench area. EMT/ALS (Emergency Medical Technician and Advanced Life Support ambulances) – The home club is responsible for scheduling two certified Advanced Life Support Ambulances. Authorized to go onto the playing field after being notified by the club’s Head Athletic Trainer, physicians, or Football Operations Representative to remove an injured coach, player, Game Official, or game day personnel. Visiting Team Medical Liaison (VTML) – Locally licensed, board-certified physician retained to facilitate healthcare for visiting team players and staff. Under each stadium’s mandatory EAP, every NFL club is required to retain 1 of these VTML physicians when playing a game at an “out of state” destination in the United States. A roster of credentialed physicians who have been approved by the NFL and NFLPA to serve as VTMLs is maintained at the League office by the Management Council and may be used as a resource for clubs.
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations 6 CONTACT INFORMATION NFL GAME OPERATIONS Game Day Operations Center 212.450.2087 Email: [email protected] CONTACT INFORMATION NFL Game Operations Game Day Operations Center 212.450.2087 Email: [email protected] DAWN APONTE Chief Football Admin Officer 212.450.2379 (o) DAVID GARDI SVP, Game Ops & Club Services 212.450.2275 (o) STEPHANIE DURANTE VP, Game Day Tech. & League Events 212.450.2152 (o) JAY REID Sr. Director, Game Day Tech. & League Events 212.450.2332 (o) LEAH TRIOLA Sr. Director, Football Ops & Admin 212.450.2167 (o) PHILLIP BOGLE Director, Game Ops & Club Services 212.450.2106 (o) KARLEY BERRY Sr. Manager, Game Ops & Club Services 646.876.6028 (o) GERRY GORRY Manager, Game Ops & Club Services 212.450.2470 (o) JOE VALENTINE Sr. Coordinator, Game Ops & Club Services 646.876.6203 (o) EMILY BROGGY Assistant, Game Ops & Club Services 646.876.6260 (o)
7 VENDOR CONTACTS In-Stadium Clocks and Scoreboards All American Scoreboards/Everbrite Co. 401 South Main Street Christ Stark Pardeeville, WI 53954 608.429.2121 800.356.8146 DAKTRONICS 201 Daktronics Dr. Adam Garrido Brookings, SD 917.359.3220 800.325.8766 Coaching Staff Communications— Headsets NFL Football Operations [email protected] 646.876.6203 Coach-to-Player System (C2P)— Support & Service Gubser & Schnakenberg, LLC (GSC) 402.477.2002 [email protected] (Mark Gubser) [email protected] (Jamie Schnakenberg) [email protected] (Alex Shada) Music in Stadium ASCAP: American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers 212.586.6000 BMI: Broadcast Music, Inc. 212.586.2000 SESAC: Society of European Stage Artists & Composers 212.586.3450 Game Footballs Wilson Sporting Goods Co. Kevin Murphy – General Manager Office: 773.714.6852 Mobile: 312.961.0984 Wilson Sporting Goods Co. Jenny Biery – Team Contact 419.634.9901 Ext. 4076
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations 8 Standard Field Equipment Sideline Chain Set; Chain Crew and Ball Crew Vests; Pylons and Yard Line Markers; Goal Post, Goal Post Extensions, Ribbons, and Clamps; Goal Post Paint Gilman Gear Neil Gilman 800.243.0398 860.889.7334 Aluminum Athletic Equipment Co. Adam Driscoll 610.825.6565 Ext. 109 Sportsfield Specialties David Moxley 888.975.3343 607.746.1404 First Down Football Products George Wiley 626.665.6166 Bench Climate Control Units HEATED BENCHES Reliable Dragon Head Solar Seat Franklin B. Floyd, Jr. 216.292.7800 PORTABLE COOLING AND HEATING SYSTEMS Big Fogg Chris Miehl 951.587.2460 PORTABLE HEATING UNITS East Coast Sports, Inc. Madeleine Combs 904.588.4436 PORTABLE AIR CONDITIONERS Spot Coolers, Inc. Garth Tagge Ken Swanson or 800.367.8675 COOLING FANS Port-A-Cool Rick Campbell 800.695.2942 Kicking Tees Dalco Athletic Lettering Co. – Boomer® Mike Carter 972.494.1455 Ext. 244 Premium Products, Inc. – Ground Zero® 1 H. Jay Spiegel 703.619.0101
9 Field Tarps Coversports Zak Nissenbaum [email protected] 800.445.6680 Covermaster Ken Curry [email protected] 800.387.5808 Recommended Paints and Removal Equipment ECO Chemical Paint Company – Paint and remover for FieldTurf and Spor- texe Turf 420 South Hinds St. Jeff Fisher Seattle, WA 98134 206.793.0005 Pioneer Manufacturing – Paint for grass field 4529 Industrial Parkway Cleveland, OH 44135 800.877.1500 Sweepster Jenkins Equipment Co. – Paint Removal and Snow Remova l 2800 North Zeeb Road Dexter, MI 48130 734.996.9116 World Class Athletic Surface, Inc. – Paint for turf and natural grass fields 817 North Broad Street Greg Narmour Leland, MS 38756 800.699.5456 or 318.348.9538 Jotun P.O. Box 159, Belle Chasse, LA 70037 713.860.8241 (Company has NFL’s color chart booklet, and upon request will mix special paints to match a team’s colors for field markings, NFL Shield, etc.) Mautz Paint & Turf (Natural Grass) – Missouri Turf Paint and Field Graphics 1201 E. 63rd Street Kansas City, MO 64110 (800.426.0774) Larry Davis or John Graves 3M Company – Snow covered surfaces 220-3E-11 3M Center St. Paul, MN 55144-1000 651.733.1110
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations 10 Field Stencils Acme Sign, Inc. – End Zone Field Stencils, 25- and 50-yard line stencils 1313 Vernon St. Darrol Schultze or Chris McCullough North Kansas City, MO 64116 816.842.8980 World Class Athletic Surfaces 817 North Broad Street Greg Narmour Leland, MS 38756 Office: 800.699.5456 Mobile: 318.348.9538 Senior Bowl Jim Nagy Senior Bowl Executive Director 602.284.3116 [email protected] Media Vests PFI Fashions, Inc. Jody Poltermann-Todd 800.251.2112, Ext. 24
A1 TABLE OF CONTENTS A. GAME OPERATIONS COMPETITIVE ASPECTS OF THE GAME . A6 A. Integrity of the Game and Enforcement of Competitive Rules . A6 B. Game Day Designees . A8 C. Game Day Technology Liaison. A8 D. Game Day Certification . A8 STADIUM FACILITIES . A9 A. Stadium Check . A9 B. Workouts by Visiting Club . A9 C. Regulatory Signs . A10 D. Locker Rooms (Home and Visitors) . A10 E. Visitor’s Locker Room. A11 F. Officials’ Locker Rooms . A12 G. Referee’s Wireless Microphone System . A13 H. Club-Issued Game Day Radios . A14 I. Game Day Assistants . A14 J. Medical . A15 K. Coaches Booths . A19 L. Coaching Aids . A20 M. Public Address System . A21 N. Scoreboard/Video Boards . A22 O. In-Stadium Clocks . A23 P. Music in Stadium . A24 Q. Signs in Stands . A24 R. Field Seats . A24 S. End Zone and Kicking Nets . A25 T. Stadium Access/Public Accommodations . A25 U. Stadium Video Locations . A25 V. Instant Replay Booth . A26 W. Broadcast Outage . A26 X. Domed Stadiums . A26 FOOTBALL TECHNOLOGY . A29 A. Football Technology Core (FTC) . A29 B. Sideline Viewing System (SVS) . A29 C. Coaching Staff Communications . A30 D. Coach-to-Player System (C2P) . A33 E. Injury Video Review System (IVRS) . A36 F. Frequency Coordination . A36 G. Equipment Tracking Program (ZEBRA Virtual Locker) . A37 H. All-29 Camera. A37 GAME AND FIELD EQUIPMENT . A39 A. Footballs . A39 B. Standard Field Equipment . A41 C. Bench Climate Control Units . A41 D. Medical Tents . A42 E. Kicking Tees . A43 PLAYING FIELD SPECIFICATIONS . A45 A. Playing Surfaces . A45 B. Bench Areas . A45 C. Padding of Field Walls and Vertical Surfaces . A45 D. Horizontal Surfaces . A45
E. Field Markings . A45 F. Field Surface Repairs or Modifications . A47 G. Mandatory Guidelines for Fields in Inclement Weather . A47 H. Mandatory Practices for the Maintenance of Surfaces for NFL Games . A48 GAME PROCEDURES . A53 A. Visiting Team Arrivals . A53 B. Time Schedule . A53 C. Pregame Warm-ups . A56 D. Player Introductions . A58 E. National Anthem . A58 F. Team Captains Guidelines . A58 G. Scouting . A59 H. Field Access . A59 I. Sideline Communications . A64 J. First Down Measurements . A64 K. Chain Crew . A64 L. Ball Crew . A64 M. Playing Field Misconduct . A65 N. Crowd Noise and In-Stadium Entertainment . A66 O. Halftime . A68 P. Overtime Procedures . A68 Q. Officiating Conference or Review . A68 R. Officiating Criticism and Other Related Offenses . A68 S. Player Personnel Changes . A69 T. Player Personnel Notices . A69 U. Security . A69 V. Health and Safety Guidelines for Adverse Weather Conditions . A71 W. Air Quality Index . A74 EMERGENCIES AND UNFAIR ACTS . A75 A. Policy. A75 B. Authority of the Commissioner’s Office . A75 C. Authority of the Referee . A76 D. Procedures for Starting and Resuming Games . A76 E. Procedures for Rescheduling or Relocating a Game . A77 F. Financial Policy for Rescheduled, Relocated, or Cancelled Games . A78 G. Competitive Policy for Cancelled Games . A78 H. Unfair Acts . A78 I. On-Field Emergency Communications Procedures . A79 J. Guidelines for Serious On-Field Injuries or Medical Emergencies . A79 PUBLIC RELATIONS/BROADCASTING . A85 A. Press Box . A85 B. Media Access to Team Locker Rooms . A86 C. Telephones/Wireless Internet Access . A86 D. Pool Reporters . A86 E. Attendance Announcements . A87 F. Statistics . A87 G. Personnel (Injury) Report Policy . A87 H. Endorsements or Advertising of Alcoholic Beverages or Tobacco Products . A95 I. Sideline Procedures . A95 J. Televising Network Field Sets . A97 K. Field Reporters’ Procedures . A97 A2 2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations TABLE OF CONTENTS
A3 L. Game Presentation Policies . A98 M. Gambling Advertising Policy . A100 N. Pylon and Aerial Cameras . A100 O. Commercial Signage in Stadiums . A101 UNIFORM POLICY . A103 A. NFL Uniform Policy . A103 B. Foreign Substances on Player Uniforms on Game Day . A104 C. On Field Policy . A104 D. On-Field Apparel Categories/Rules . A105 E. Enforcement of Uniform and On Field Policies . A108 TICKET POLICIES . A109 A. Complimentary Tickets . A109 B. Ticket Manifest . A110 C. Game Financial Settlement . A110 CLUB VIDEO POLICY . A111 A. Acquisition of Game Footage . A111 B. Editing of Game Footage . A112 C. Exchange of Game Footage . A113 D. Distribution of Game Footage to Club Personnel . A114 E. Alternate Issues . A115 F. Miscellaneous Rules and Regulations . A115 G. Regulations for Game Officials’ Game Recordings . A116 NEUTRAL SITE GAME LOCATIONS . A117 A. Checklists . A117 PRESEASON GAMES . A125 A. Preseason Game Policy . A125 B. Hall of Fame Game . A125 INTERNATIONAL SERIES OF REGULAR SEASON GAMES . A127 2022 NFL LONDON GAMES . A127 2022 NFL GERMANY GAME . A135 2022 NFL MEXICO GAME . A143 IMPORTANT DATES . A151 APPENDICES APPENDIX A: EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN . 3 APPENDIX B: CERTIFICATION FORMS . 15 APPENDIX C: EQUITY RULE - QUICK REFERENCE . 19 APPENDIX D: EQUITY COMMUNICATIONS . 21 APPENDIX E: COACHING AIDS - QUICK REFERENCE . 23 APPENDIX F: ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY - QUICK REFERENCE . 25 APPENDIX G: GAME DAY RADIOS . 27 APPENDIX H: MEDICAL TENTS - APPROVED LOCATIONS . 29 TABLE OF CONTENTS
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations B. POSTSEASON GAMES POSTSEASON GAMES. B3 A. Selection of Playoff Clubs . B3 B. Pairings and Priority . B3 C. Schedule and Site . B3 D. Super Bowl . B3 E. Schedule . B4 F. Tie-Breaking Procedures . B4 WILD CARD, DIVISIONAL, AND CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES . B7 A. Kickoff Times . B7 B. Halftime Entertainment. B7 C. Jersey Notification . B7 D. Video Exchange . B7 E. Team Travel . B7 F. Stadium . B7 G. Postseason Scouting Credentials . B7 H. Public Relations And Media Operations . B8 I. Radio . B8 J. Tickets . B8 K. Finances/Expenses . B9 L. League Authority . B10 M. Headquarters . B10 N. Transportation . B10 O. Honorary Captain . B10 P. Trophy Presentation . B10 PRO BOWL . B11 A. Event Date And Site . B11 B. League Contacts . B11 C. Club Cooperation Policy . B11 D. Responsibilities Of Clubs . B11 E. Voting Procedures. B11 F. All-Star Teams . B13 G. Players . B13 H. Alternate Players And Replacements . B14 I. Player Expenses . B14 J. Pro Bowl Fine Schedule . B14 SUPER BOWL . B15 A. Game Dates And Sites . B15 B. Tickets . B15 C. Television . B16 D. Radio . B16 E. Super Bowl Events . B16 F. Club Packets . B16 G. Transportation . B17 H. League and Media Headquarters . B17 I. Participating Club Information . B17 J. Video Exchange . B21 COLLEGE ALL-STAR GAMES . B23 TABLE OF CONTENTS A4
A5 C. CLUB DIRECTORY PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME . C3 ARIZONA CARDINALS . C5 ATLANTA FALCONS . C7 BALTIMORE RAVENS . C9 BUFFALO BILLS . C11 CAROLINA PANTHERS . C13 CHICAGO BEARS . C15 CINCINNATI BENGALS . C17 CLEVELAND BROWNS . C19 DALLAS COWBOYS . C21 DENVER BRONCOS . C23 DETROIT LIONS . C25 GREEN BAY PACKERS . C27 HOUSTON TEXANS . C29 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS . C31 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS . C33 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS . C35 LAS VEGAS RAIDERS . C37 LOS ANGELES CHARGERS . C39 LOS ANGELES RAMS . C41 MIAMI DOLPHINS . C43 MINNESOTA VIKINGS . C45 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS . C47 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS . C49 NEW YORK GIANTS . C51 NEW YORK JETS . C53 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES . C55 PITTSBURGH STEELERS . C57 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS . C59 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS . C61 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS. C63 TENNESSEE TITANS . C65 WASHINGTON COMMANDERS . C67 TABLE OF CONTENTS
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations A. INTEGRITY OF THE GAME AND ENFORCEMENT OF COMPETITIVE RULES The NFL has always regarded the integrity of the game and competitive fairness as its highest priority. This has been a consistent focus of Commissioners, owners, and teams for decades. As a League, we continue to embrace that standard today, especially with the proliferation of legalized sports betting in many states. In order to ensure that the competition on the field is and continues to be above question, we have adopted policies and safeguards designed to promote integrity and fair competition. The terms integrity of the game, fair competition, and competitive rules are references to the overarching policies that involve all aspects of the game, on and off the field. The Game Operations Manual, Official Playing Rules, the NFL’s Constitution and Bylaws, the Anti-Tampering Policy, and many other League policies all invoke these overarching policies. Any violation of this Manual that has a competitive impact as determined by the League office will constitute an integrity of the game violation The NFL Rule of Equity is referenced in the annual Integrity of the Game certification forms and is one of the underlying policies contained in the Game Operations Manual. The home club, under its responsibility as the club in control, is obligated to grant the visiting club all practical equity in any consideration that could affect competitive factors on game day. This includes, but is not limited to: locations, equipment, conveniences in the locker room, the bench area, the coaching booth, and the video filming positions. It also applies to day-before-game workouts and pregame warm-up procedures. A home club’s failure to fully meet these obligations constitutes a violation of this Manual and will result in League discipline. 1. Obligation of Clubs The home club is responsible for its game day operations, and clubs must provide this Manual to the appropriate third-party stadium management personnel (when and where applicable) and review the relevant game day policies with them prior to the club’s first home game of the season. The obligation to adhere to the League policies contained in this manual belongs to all clubs. On game day, that obligation extends to other entities and personnel who: (1) are under the control and supervision of a participating club; and (2) have a role on game day that could invoke the policies contained in this Manual. Such personnel may include, but are not limited to, the following: • Personnel working for club-owned/affiliated media groups; • Freelance personnel under the supervision of a club (e.g., stadium game presentation personnel); • Seasonal/temporary game day employees; • Stadium operations personnel, including third-party management who are not directly employed by the home club Accordingly, each club must provide this Manual and any necessary policy education to personnel who are working on behalf of or at the direction of the club on game day. 2. Violations Affecting Competitive Aspects of the Game Clubs should be aware of the language in Section 8.13 (A)(4) of the Constitution and Bylaws concerning violations affecting the competitive aspects of the game: Disciplinary Powers of Commissioner …The Commissioner shall have complete authority to: *** In cases involving a violation affecting the competitive aspects of the game, award selection choices, and/ or deprive the offending club of a selection choice or choices and/or cancel any contract or agreement of such person with the League or with any member thereof and/or fine the offending club in an amount not in excess of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000)… To further clarify Section 8.13(A)(4), violations of any of the policies and requirements set forth in this Manual may result in the imposition of discipline including fines on the club, fines and/or suspensions of persons involved, and/or the forfeiture of a draft choice(s), including for first offenses. Ignorance of a policy or rule set forth in this Manual will not be considered a mitigating factor with respect to the assessment of discipline. Moreover, those with previous violations of League policies or rules may be subject to enhanced discipline when compared to a first-time violator. The League office retains the authority to determine that the actions of a club have violated the competitive aspects or integrity of the game, even if not explicitly outlined within this manual, and to assess discipline accordingly. COMPETITIVE ASPECTS OF THE GAME A6
A7 3. Duty to Certify Compliance with League Rules — The Chief Executive, President, General Manager, and Head Coach will be required by March 30 of each year to certify in writing: (a) that the club has reported all violations of integrity of the game policy and competitive rules of which it was aware; and (b) that the club was not guilty of any such violations during the preceding year. Any of these club employees who leaves the club prior to March 1 shall be required to make the Certification as of the last date of his or her employment at the club. Specifically, the certification includes, but is not limited to, the following: violations of the “equity rule” relating to game day facilities or tampering with the use of any equipment properly available to an opposing team, or unauthorized use of computers or electronic equipment on game day; interference with a team’s or stadium’s game day communication systems, or unauthorized use of game day frequencies; unauthorized videotaping on game day or of practices, meetings, or other organized team activities; unauthorized and/or unreported game day use of mics on players or other forms of electronic eavesdropping; unauthorized entry into locker rooms, coaches booths, meeting rooms or other private areas; violations of the anti-tampering policies; violations of player personnel or eligibility rules; tampering with any game day clocks or timing equipment; tampering with other game-related equipment; or artificially increasing “crowd” or other noise levels in a stadium. Further, each signatory will be required to certify that he or she has no knowledge of any NFL player, club personnel, or personnel who are working on behalf of or at the direction of the club: • betting on NFL games or any aspect of an NFL game; betting on NFL players; improperly influencing or attempting to influence any aspect of a game; failing to give best effort in a game; sharing non-public information without authorization; accepting a bribe or other offer to manipulate or influence a game or share non-public information; failing to report a bribe, offer or request for non-public information; or associating with known or problem gamblers in a manner that discredits the NFL. • violating the bounty rule, including but not limited to: the offer, payment or acceptance of a bonus of any sort for on-field misconduct; play that incentivizes or may result in injury to opposing players; “pay for performance” or for team performance against a particular player, position group, or team. • promising, announcing, or providing any form of non-contract consideration to a player in violation of the Constitution & Bylaws or Collective Bargaining Agreement. • gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized electronic access to another club’s intellectual property, such as playbooks, signals, game plans, personnel files, databases, etc. • being involved in an arrest or other incident that was not reported to the League as required under the Personal Conduct Policy. • failing to share promptly with the League material information concerning a matter being investigated under the Personal Conduct Policy. • being involved in the sale, use, or distribution of substances prohibited by the NFL Policy on Performance- Enhancing Substances. (No club will be deemed to have violated this aspect of the certification merely because a player violates the Policy.) • making any agreement or understanding with another club or club personnel that affects, or attempts to affect, the competitive aspects or integrity of a game. This includes, but is not limited to: agreements regarding players (e.g., which players will play in a game, when they will play, or for how long they will play); play calling on offense, defense, or special teams (e.g., mix of runs or passes, one or two-point try, punts vs. fourth down tries, defensive alignment); scoring (e.g., margin of victory, tie in regulation or overtime); or any other competitive matter. (This does not prohibit independent decisions on any competitive issue, provided that such decisions are made in accordance with existing rules.) • any other action or inaction that could affect the integrity of the game or be considered conduct detrimental. Failure to file the certification in a timely manner, or the filing of a false certification, shall be considered conduct detrimental to the League and will subject the offending club and responsible individual(s) to appropriate discipline. Owners and other senior executives are recommended to require others in the organization who may have relevant knowledge to certify their compliance with League rules and that they have reported any violations. See Appendix B for the Integrity of the Game certification forms. 4. Duty to Investigate and Cooperate — Actual or suspected violations will be thoroughly and promptly investigated. The club is required to give its full support and cooperation in any investigation conducted by the League office and/or a League-designated third party. Failure to cooperate in an investigation shall be considered conduct detrimental to the League and will subject the offending club and responsible individual(s) to appropriate discipline. COMPETITIVE ASPECTS OF THE GAME COMPETITIVE ASPECTS OF THE GAME
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations 5. Duty to Disclose — The Chief Executive, President, General Manager, and Head Coach each shall have an affirmative duty to promptly report any actual or suspected competitive violations to Troy Vincent or David Gardi. When self-reporting, the club’s report should include: a detailed description of the violation and how it occurred; and a detailed statement of corrective action taken by the club to ensure that the violation does not occur again. Failure to report an actual or suspected violation shall be considered conduct detrimental to the League and will subject the offending club and responsible individual(s) to appropriate discipline. A club or individual reporting a violation is expected to report in good faith, to have a reasonable basis for believing a violation occurred, and to produce (or identify) evidence substantiating the claim. In the event it is determined that a claim was made in bad faith, is frivolous, or is not supported by credible evidence, the League will impose appropriate sanctions. 6. Standard of Proof Required to Sustain a Violation and Disciplinary Considerations — The standard of proof required to find that a violation of League rules has occurred shall be a preponderance of the evidence. This is the degree of evidence that is of greater weight or more convincing than the evidence offered in opposition. It means that, as a whole, the conduct sought to be proved is more probable than not. When a violation is proved under this standard, discipline will be imposed based on all relevant facts and circumstances, including the nature and materiality of the violation, the prior record of the party committing the violation, prior treatment of similar violations, the extent to which the club and relevant individuals cooperated with the investigation, and, insofar as possible, the actual competitive impact of the violation. 7. Confidentiality — Confidentiality must be maintained when conducting an investigation and when reporting information to the League office. Clubs are required to take appropriate steps to ensure that information concerning actual or suspected violations is reported and remains strictly confidential, and that no inadvertent or intentional disclosures are made to unauthorized persons. The effectiveness of this policy rests largely on adherence to maintaining the confidentiality of information; therefore, any unauthorized disclosures will result in disciplinary action where appropriate. Similarly, any actual or threatened retaliation against a person who makes a report in good faith will be grounds for disciplinary action. B. GAME DAY DESIGNEES Each club is required to designate one person to oversee the club’s game day functions and serve as the point of contact between the League’s Football Operations department and the club on game day. The Game Day Designee is responsible for addressing any field, stadium, or other club football operations issues. Each club is also required to appoint a Game Day Designee to serve as the on-site point of contact to address game-related issues when it is the visiting team. Each club must communicate the name of its home and visiting game day designee to the NFL Football Operations department prior to the start of training camp each season. C. GAME DAY TECHNOLOGY LIAISON Each club is required to designate one person to oversee the club’s game day football technology functions and serve as the point of contact for all technology-related issues. This position ensures that game day technology issues are effectively communicated and addressed with all relevant stakeholders (applicable game day assistants, coaches, club staff, NFL Football Operations, and NFL Football Technology). This position requires the individual to be a full- time employee who operates from the club facility during the week, who meets with the coaching staff, and is designated as bench area personnel for home and away games. Each club must communicate the name and contact information of their Game Day Technology Liaison prior to the start of training camp each season. D. GAME DAY CERTIFICATION Each year, clubs will be responsible for requiring the following individuals to successfully complete a game certification program related to relevant game operations policies: Game Day Designee, Road Game Designee, Game Day Technology Liaison, Coach-to-Coach (C2C) Technician (Yellow Hat), Game Presentation Director, Stadium Manager, Field Manager, and Equipment Manager. Each individual must certify that he or she understands all relevant policies and that they have reviewed these policies with the applicable club and stadium staff, as clubs are responsible for ensuring that all game day staff understand and comply with these policies. NFL Football Operations strongly encourages clubs to require additional personnel (e.g., part time, seasonal, game day specific, etc.) to complete the certification. COMPETITIVE ASPECTS OF THE GAME A8
A9 A. STADIUM CHECK Home clubs are obligated to check on all facets of game operations sufficiently in advance of kickoff to ensure that items necessary for staging an NFL game are in the proper working order. These include, but are not limited to, the following: • Field condition • Bench area setup • Availability and proper use of field covering and other field equipment, including snow removal equipment • Game clocks • 40/25-second play clocks • Goal posts, extensions, ribbons & clamps, alignment, pads • Field markings • End zone and kicking nets • Sideline marker set and pylons • Chains (including a spare set), chain crew vests, ball crew vests, kicking ball pouches • Coaches’ wireless communication system/Coach-to-Player system • Television monitors in coaches booths • Referee’s microphone/Official-to-Official communication system • Locker rooms – Home, Visitors, Officials (including female locker rooms, if in use) • Locker room security – Home, Visitors, Officials (including female locker rooms, if in use) • Locker room signage • Game Clock Indicator or Time of Day Clock (required in all locker rooms) • Climate control benches/units • Game Officials’ phone • Ring down phones • Ambulance, X-ray equipment, oxygen, medical tents, and other medical equipment • Instant Replay equipment • Sideline cart for injured players • Injury Video Review System • Coaches Sideline Viewing System components • Field wall padding and Non-Slip Surfaces • Next Gen Stats Technology If any items necessary for staging an NFL game are not in proper working order, the home club shall have the responsibility to take whatever actions are necessary to rectify the problem as soon as possible. Any additional expenses incurred should be considered day-of-game expenses. B. WORKOUTS BY VISITING CLUB The visiting club has the right to work out at the stadium on the day before a game provided it has given the home club reasonable advance notice of its request for access. The home club may not deny access unless there is a reasonable basis, such as the effect of adverse weather conditions on the playing field. If the field is used for the home club’s workout, it must also be made available to the visiting club. If the home club feels that a visitor’s workout would cause significant deterioration of its playing field, it should notify the NFL Football Operations department. NFL Football Operations will then determine whether the workout may occur. The home club must have a field crew available during the visitor’s workout. If the visiting club works out in the stadium without prior approval, the visiting club may be subject to League discipline. The home club is under no obligation to make its in-stadium public address system available to the visiting club for a day-before-game workout. The workout may occur between 26 hours prior to kickoff and 22 hours prior to kickoff. For example, if kickoff is on Sunday at 1:02 p.m., the visitors may have practice time for no more than two hours on Saturday between 11:02 a.m. until 3:02 p.m. The home club has the choice of practicing early or late within the time period, but if it chooses STADIUM FACILITIES STADIUM FACILITIES
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations to go early, the visitors have the right to practice no later than one hour after the end of the home club’s practice. For competitive considerations, the home club and the visiting club must set their workout schedules so that both clubs are not on the stadium grounds (which, if applicable, includes the home club’s training facility attached or adjacent to the stadium) at the same time during the four-hour window. A practice time that falls outside the above period is also permissible, subject to mutual agreement of the participating clubs. If the visiting club no longer intends to conduct a workout at the stadium, they should make best efforts to notify the home club of the cancellation at least 12 hours in advance of the scheduled workout time. At least six weeks in advance of any regular season game, the home club will provide, upon request, suggested alternate practice sites available to the visitors. If a visiting club’s workout is scheduled, the visitor’s equipment manager should inform the home club of their needs for towels, water, Gatorade, and ice at least seven days in advance of the game. C. REGULATORY SIGNS Home clubs are responsible for posting the following League-supplied signs in the following areas of their stadium, training camp facility, and practice facility: Entrance to Locker Rooms Coaches Booths Notice Electronic Device Policy Locker Rooms Positively No Visitors Electronic Device Policy PA Announcer Booth Uniform Crowd Noise Policy Player Instant Replay Booth Values Positively No Visitors Game Officials’ Locker Room(s) Positively No Visitors D. LOCKER ROOMS (HOME AND VISITORS) 1. Admittance — No persons except authorized club and League personnel are permitted in the locker rooms prior to the game. Only media personnel with proper press credentials are to be admitted after the game. The home club is responsible for assigning security to each locker room to ensure such compliance. 2. Alcoholic Beverages — No alcoholic beverages, including beer, are allowed in the locker rooms at any time during the preseason, regular season, or postseason. This is applicable for all players, club personnel and guests traveling with the team and includes practice or office facilities, or while traveling (team buses and flights). 3. Towels — The home club is responsible for providing both clubs with an adequate supply of towels for the postgame media session. 4. Photocopiers — Photocopiers and/or printers are not permitted in or directly outside of the locker rooms or coaches booths (home or visitor). If coaches would like to make photocopies at halftime, they may use the photocopiers in the press box area only if the home club Public Relations Director grants permission to use the photocopiers. The home club is not obligated to grant permission for the use of the press box photocopiers because such activity by the visiting coaches may interfere with the production and distribution of play-by-play sheets and game notes in the press box. The visiting club is not permitted to transport a photocopier and/or printers on game day. 5. Locker Room Video — All clubs are required to either install a camera or allow a handheld camera in the locker room prior to the team leaving the locker room for introductions. The home club shall have control over collection, editing, and distribution within their stadium of all locker room footage. 6. Game Clock Indicator or Time of Day Clock – All clubs are required to install clocks in all locker rooms that display either the time of day or the countdown until play begins/resumes. 7. Wireless Internet — The home club is responsible for providing two secure wireless networks in both the home and visiting locker rooms in an equitable fashion, including network speed and bandwidth capacity. One network is intended for use by team medical personnel only (network “1920”) and the other network is for general locker room usage. The “1920” network will have the same password in the locker room, bench area, and other designated medical areas for use by the medical staff. Any use of Internet for competitive purposes will be considered an integrity of the game violation. STADIUM FACILITIES A10
A11 8. Accommodations for Female Football Staff — Clubs are responsible for providing adequate and separate, private spaces for female football staff from the home club and the visiting club. Clubs must identify dedicated female locker rooms with equitable amenities and facilities to the main locker rooms, instead of temporarily repurposing an alternative space. Head coaches may not be displaced from their assigned locker rooms to meet the requirement for female locker room space. The designated female locker room space may not be shared with any other game day staff or be repurposed to accommodate a head coach. The locker room space must include lockers, shower and restroom facilities, and it must be stocked with towels, appropriate feminine hygiene products, toiletries (e.g., shampoo, soap, etc.), and bottled water. If the designated space is located within an existing locker room where areas of privacy are exposed (e.g., urinals, showers, changing area, etc.), pipe and drape is recommended to provide a private pathway to each space. The home club must assign a locker room attendant and security personnel to each female locker room space, when in use. It is the responsibility of the home club to confirm with the visiting club if traveling female staff require a locker room. If a visiting club makes a late request on game day for the home club to accommodate a female staff member, the home club should use best efforts to do so. If a visiting club does not travel with a female staff member requiring a locker room, the home club cannot utilize the designated visiting team space for any other personnel. E. VISITOR’S LOCKER ROOM 1. Equipment Arrival — The visiting club is responsible for informing the home club of the arrival time of the team plane and the approximate time the equipment should arrive at the stadium. The home club must make every effort to have the visiting locker room available the day prior to game day for equipment storage. If access to the locker room is not feasible, the home club must provide an alternate storage space with the same security measures described below. If no space is available within the stadium, the home club must make every effort to stage the visiting club’s equipment truck as close to the confines as possible and supply the same security measures described below. 2. Security — Special care must be taken to protect the visiting club’s equipment once it arrives at the stadium. If the visitor’s locker room has one entrance, a stationary guard should be posted overnight outside the locker room door. It is suggested that overnight security be posted inside the locker room if the locker room has multiple entrances. Clubs are required to use throw-bolts on the inside of all visiting team locker room doors that have outside access. The home club is required to provide hardware that allows the visitors to attach their own chains and locks to the locker room doors after equipment is unloaded. These procedures are at the home club’s expense. 3. Facilities – Each club shall take reasonable steps to ensure that all visiting team locker rooms contain the following minimum facilities as required by Article 39, Section 10 of the NFL-NFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement: six urinals, four toilets, twenty showers, and one private medical examination room. These facilities must be available within the player area of the locker room. The private medical examination room must be a separate room within the team locker room area. However, if a separate room is not available, an area within the team locker room may be made private by ensuring that area is cordoned off (temporary wall, pipe and drape, etc.). 4. Supplies — At least seven days prior to game day, the visiting club equipment manager should notify the home club equipment manager of their game day needs beyond the following standard allotments: • 600 bath towels* • 150 small sweat towels • 150 wash cloths • 500 pounds of ice • 3 cartons of gum • 1 large pot of coffee • 15 cases of bottled water (8 oz.-12 oz. bottles) • 10 jugs of water (5-gallon jugs) • 10 cases of Gatorade • 3 dozen bananas and 3 dozen sliced oranges for halftime • Home clubs must also supply toiletries (body wash, shampoo, deodorant, shaving cream, disposable razors, etc.), two dry erase boards, two 6-foot folding tables, two stationary bikes (one for the locker room, one for STADIUM FACILITIES
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations the sideline), Will Call envelopes, flip cards, and pregame timelines. Female toiletries and hygiene products are required in the female locker rooms. There will be no charge made to the visiting club for the basics; if the additional supplies exceed $100 in cost, the visiting club may be billed the amount. *In the event of inclement weather, the home club must make a reasonable increase in the visiting club’s towel supply at no extra charge to the visitors. 5. Clubhouse Attendants — The home club must assign one clubhouse attendant and two assistants to the visitor’s locker room, and one attendant and security personnel to the visitor’s female staff locker room, when in use. Fees for the visitor’s locker room attendants will be paid by the home club, but the visiting club will handle any gratuities should the attendants perform extra duties (e.g., cleaning players’ shoes, running errands outside the stadium, etc.). 6. Clubhouse Admittance — The visiting club should assign a club representative to the front door of the visiting locker room(s) to identify club staff members permitted to enter to ensure security in the locker room(s) on game day. 7. Telephone — The visitor’s locker room must have a direct telephone line capable of placing and receiving calls to and from outside of the stadium. This phone line is for use by the visiting club to update family members and/or ownership on the status of an injured player. Any use of this phone for competitive purposes will be considered an integrity of the game violation. 8. Buses — Because many visiting club buses load adjacent to network TV compounds and other working areas, clubs are asked to minimize or eliminate the amount of time buses idle on game day, especially in stadiums where buses unload and load indoors. Venues with exhaust ventilation systems should be diligent in using them. Buses should be parked with exhaust pipes pointing away from working areas when possible. As this is a worker health and safety issue, each home club’s stadium manager must work with the visiting club and their local bus companies that handle visiting club transportation to discuss the reduction of postgame idling time. Visiting clubs are asked to work with their contracted bus companies for road games to determine the least amount of idling time that allows the bus to be at an optimal temperature without unnecessarily running for an excessive period. F. OFFICIALS’ LOCKER ROOMS 1. Accommodations — The Officials’ locker rooms must be private and not shared with any other team or stadium employees. There must be adequate locker space, shower and restroom facilities, and amenities (food, drinks, towels, toiletries, etc.). Every stadium must designate a private locker room to accommodate female Game Officials that is in close proximity to the male Officials’ locker room. Both Officials’ locker rooms (male and female) must be stocked with the following: • Advil , Tylenol , Aleve , Bayer , and allergy medication ® ® ® ® • Appropriate male and female hygienic products • Black/white athletic tape • Warm skin and hand warmers for cold weather games, and Pedialyte for hot weather games ® • Stretching mats • Exercise bikes in good condition • Two foam rollers, two stretching bands, two lacrosse balls, and two tennis balls (for trigger point massage) Athletic Trainers should be available to assist with taping, if necessary. The NFL may require adjustments/ improvements to locker room facilities, equipment, and/or amenities that are deemed to be inadequate. 2. Game Day Meals — During the pregame, halftime, and postgame periods, the home club is responsible for supplying fresh, high-quality food and beverages that support the nutrition, hydration, pregame preparation, and postgame recovery of Game Officials. At a minimum, clubs must provide protein options, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein bars, nuts, and a variety of beverage options, set up in a clean and sanitary location (i.e., away from the locker and restroom areas). 3. Security — The home club is responsible for assigning security personnel to be posted outside the Officials’ locker room (and any locker room designated for female Game Officials, if in use) throughout game day. Any person(s) entering the Officials’ locker room(s) during the game must be accompanied by the security attendant assigned to the locker room. The home club must also assign security personnel to ensure that the Game Officials have a clear and safe path to their locker room at halftime and postgame. Security personnel must also ensure safe passage to the Game Officials’ bus/cars and see that their vehicles are guided out of the parking area into the main flow of traffic away from the stadium. STADIUM FACILITIES A12
A13 4. Admittance — From the time any Game Official first enters the locker room (including female Officials’ locker room, if in use), and until all Game Officials have left it at the end of a game, no person other than clubhouse attendants or those invited by the Referee shall be allowed to enter it. This prohibition includes coaches, players, owners, other management personnel, and members of the media. Each club is responsible for posting a regulatory sign regarding admittance to the Officials’ locker room. This sign must be posted at the entrance of the Officials’ locker room (and female Officials’ locker room, if in use) for all games. 5. Officials’ Locker Room Attendant — The home club must assign one locker room attendant to the Officials’ locker room and one to the female Officials’ locker room, if in use (at the home club’s expense). This attendant(s) should be on duty when the officiating crew arrives at the stadium and should remain at their post until the officiating crew has left the stadium. Officials’ locker room attendants should not be granted in-game field access. 6. Officials/Press Box Phone — There must be a direct, controlled phone line between the Officials’ locker rooms and the press box to allow club or League officials to communicate with the officiating crew at halftime or after the game. Locker rooms are also required to have a direct telephone line capable of placing and receiving calls to and from outside of the stadium. 7. Wireless Internet — The home club is responsible for providing wireless internet access in the Officials’ locker rooms (male and female) that has sufficient speed and bandwidth to support game video downloads, virtual meetings, game report uploading, etc. G. REFEREE’S WIRELESS MICROPHONE SYSTEM On game day, the home club is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and delivery of the Referee’s wireless microphone system. The Referee will meet with the appropriate club or stadium personnel to check all necessary electronic equipment. The Referee will meet this designee 2 hours and 15 minutes prior to kickoff at the 50-yard line (home club’s bench area). To facilitate this check, the public address system should be turned on and any other adjustments needed at the press box level should be made. Both wireless microphones should be available on the field. At 35 minutes prior to kickoff, the Referee will check his microphone with the broadcasting network. All equipment used by Game Officials will be in the locker room at the completion of the game and should be picked up by the designated club or stadium personnel. The Referee’s wireless microphone system consists of primary and backup equipment in working condition. If the primary unit malfunctions, it will be replaced by the backup unit at the first reasonable opportunity in the game. The designated club or stadium personnel should have spare batteries for the units and be knowledgeable with the replacement/installation process. The system must connect to the stadium PA, press box PA, TV, Radio, Instant Replay Booth, coaches booths, and clock operators’ locations. Shure Axient microphone systems are recommended. The wireless microphone units (primary and backup) must be wireless systems with the following components: • QTY 2 – Receivers (rack mountable) • QTY 2 – Transmitters (bodypacks modified for REF and RSB) • QTY 2 – RSB switches (Referee Switch Box) • QTY 2 – Lapel microphones (mic clips and windscreens) • QTY 2 – Antenna systems (2 directional antennas, coax cables, and antenna splitter if required) Clubs are required to permanently mount two directional antennas 10 feet apart outside of the Referee’s Wireless Microphone Operator’s booth. Mounting these antennas outside of the booth and directing them toward the playing field will maximize the signal strength and reduce the potential for radio frequency interference (RFI). Clubs are required to ensure the frequencies are coordinated for use on game day by using the Event Frequency Coordination System . The press box operator should keep the wireless microphone system live at all times, allowing the Referee to control the system with the Referee switch box (RSB). If feedback does not permit the system to be kept live, the press box operator must be alert at all times to the Referee’s signal to turn on the audio from the wireless system. The Referee signal is: Referee’s right hand on his right hip, then moving the hand out and back three times. STADIUM FACILITIES
Spotter Play Clock Operator EMT/ALS C2P Cutoff Operator Officials' Locker Room Attendants Game Clock Operator Oxygen Attendant Broadcasting Sideline Television Coordinator (Green Hat) Team Physicians Security Security Reps X-Ray Tech Health and Safety Booth and Sideline Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultants (UNC – Red Hats) Visiting Team Medical Liaison (VTML – Red Hats) Injury Video Review Operators (IVR – Blue Hats) Press Box Announcer Certified Athletic Trainer Spotter (ATC Spotter) Televising Network Orange Sleeves NFL Films Enhanced Audio Techs Information Technology Network Tech Instant Replay Tech Hawk-Eye Tech Football Technology Rep (FTR – Gray Hat) Coach-to-Player Techs (C2P – Orange NFL Shield Hats) Event Frequency Coordinators (EFCs – Orange EFC Hats) Still Photo Techs (Purple Hats) GSIS Stats Crew (Tech and Real-Time Entry Operator) Digital Media Next Gen Stats (Zebra Technologies) H. Medical 1. Emergency Medical Services — The home club is responsible for scheduling two certified crews of paramedics, Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances, and one neutral Airway Management Physician (AMP) certified in rapid sequence intubation for each scheduled home game. The AMP will be identified by wearing a red NFL cap and must be located between the 20- and 25-yard lines behind the broken STADIUM FACILITIES A14
A15 J. MEDICAL 1. Emergency Medical Services — The home club is responsible for scheduling two certified crews of paramedics, Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances, and one neutral Airway Management Physician (AMP) certified in rapid sequence intubation for each scheduled home game. The AMP will be identified by wearing a red NFL cap and must be located between the 20- and 25-yard lines behind the broken yellow border, to the right of the home team’s bench when facing the field. The paramedics are required to be stationed as close to the AMP as possible, while not interfering with standard sideline procedures. Each club’s Head Athletic Trainer and physicians are required to know their location. At the conclusion of the game, the AMP and paramedics must check with both clubs’ Head Athletic Trainer and the Officials’ locker room before departing the stadium. If medical transportation is needed to remove an injured coach, player, Game Official, or game day personnel (e.g., ball crew, chain crew member, etc.) from the playing field, the ALS ambulance is authorized to go onto the playing field after being notified by the club’s Head Athletic Trainer, physicians, or NFL Football Operations Representative. The NFL Football Operations department requires all necessary parties (e.g., police, NFL Security representative, stadium management, etc.) to pre-coordinate with the paramedics for immediate transport via police escort or Medevac helicopter to the pre-determined hospital noted in Directory of Club Contacts (Section C). 2. Stretchers and Carts — For each scheduled game, the home club is responsible for providing appropriate spinal boards with stabilizing systems, high-quality stretchers, and motorized carts to both bench areas. All medical equipment must be of appropriate size to accommodate NFL players and personnel. Additionally, clubs must have adequate backup supply to provide to both clubs, if needed. Clubs must train personnel on the operation and maintenance of any motorized vehicles/carts and must ensure they are fully operational prior to kickoff. The nearest exit to the ambulance, club’s locker room, or X-ray room should be used when removing an injured coach, player, Game Official, or game day personnel from the playing field. 3. Emergency Blind – The portable device is intended to provide privacy during circumstances where an individual may be undergoing on-field care for life-threatening medical emergencies or catastrophic injury. Clubs are encouraged to include the use of an Emergency Blind (EB) in their emergency action plan and must identify the method by which the EB will be requested (e.g., hand signals, radio communication, etc.), as well as the personnel responsible for retrieving and deploying the device. This information must be reviewed during the 60-minute medical meeting. It is recommended that four members of the stadium operations staff with in- game field access be responsible for deploying the device when required. During use of the EB, aerial cameras, whether club or network operated, are prohibited from filming and/or airing the medical procedures taking place on field. 4. X-ray Service — For each scheduled game, the home club is responsible for providing certified X-ray Technicians and an X-ray machine that is capable of providing immediate X-rays of limbs, joints, cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines, etc. for both clubs. Each club’s Head Athletic Trainer and physicians are required to meet the technicians and know their location. The technicians are required to be available in the X-ray room until both clubs’ Head Athletic Trainers notify them that their services are no longer required. The home club is responsible for all costs associated with this service. 5. Oxygen — For each scheduled game, the home club is responsible for providing two certified oxygen attendants and oxygen tanks for each bench area. The attendants are required to be next to the oxygen tanks from the start of the game until the conclusion. 6. Hard Casts/Special Equipment — Each club’s Head Athletic Trainer is required to give the Umpire the names and jersey numbers of players who have casts or special equipment for pregame inspection. These cards should be provided to the Game Officials during the 90-Minute Meeting. 7. Concussion Protocols — The following procedures will apply to all players with a suspected concussion: a. Sideline Examination — NFL players suspected of having a concussion must be evaluated inside the medical tent (or in the locker room) using the NFL Sideline Concussion Assessment Tool. Any player suspected of having a concussion must undergo this concussion assessment as outlined in the NFL Head, Neck, and Spine Committee’s Concussion Diagnosis and Management Protocol. b. Returning to Play — Any player suspected of having a concussion must be evaluated by both the team physician and Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant (UNC). The player can only return to play if cleared by the team physician. If the sideline examination in the medical tent further identifies a suspected concussion, the player is to be escorted to the locker room to undergo the more extensive locker room concussion evaluation. STADIUM FACILITIES
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations c. Leaving the Field — If a player is diagnosed with a concussion by the on field “no go” criteria, the sideline tent evaluation, or the locker room examination, and is removed from a game, he must remain in the locker/ training room, and a member of the medical staff (e.g., an athletic trainer, MD, fellow, or resident capable of medical intervention) must remain with the player to observe him if his injury does not require immediate hospitalization. A player diagnosed with a concussion may not return to the field under any circumstances. There are no exceptions to this rule. d. Err on the Side of Caution — If you have any suspicion about a player being concussed, remove him from the game. Always err on the side of caution. In cases where Game Officials witness a player suffering a head impact and he appears unstable on his feet or shows other signs of a potential head injury, the Game Officials should remove that player from the field. The player should be escorted to the sideline by a Game Official and that Game Official must alert the team’s medical personnel of the potential head injury. e. Support for Medical Personnel — Clubs should assign a specific coach to assist medical personnel in dealing with abusive or uncooperative players, and to intervene if the player disregards medical advice and attempts to or does re-enter the game. The NFL and the NFLPA will each designate a representative to monitor compliance with these protocols and investigate any potential violations. A finding that a club knowingly and materially failed to follow any of the mandatory steps required by the NFL Game Day Concussion Checklist will subject that club to discipline. Upon a club’s first violation, appropriate club employees or club medical personnel may be required to attend remedial education, and a fine of up to $515,000 may be assessed against the club. Subsequent violations in the same League year will result in fines against the club of no less than $257,500. If aggravated circumstances are present, discipline may be more significant, including a minimum fine to the club of $103,000 for a first offense and forfeiture of draft choice(s) if deviation from protocol was based on competitive considerations. 8. Sideline Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultants — During games, each club will be assigned an Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant (UNC) by the NFL Head, Neck, and Spine Committee and approved by the NFL Chief Medical Officer and the NFLPA Medical Director. Each Sideline UNC shall be a physician who is impartial and independent from any club; is board certified or board eligible in neurology, neurological surgery, emergency medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, or any primary care CAQ sports medicine certified physician; and has documented competence and experience in the treatment of acute head injuries. A Sideline UNC shall be present on each sideline during every game and shall be (i) focused on identifying symptoms of concussion and mechanisms of injury that warrant concussion evaluation, (ii) working in consultation with the head team physician and designated Traumatic Brain Injury (“TBI”) team physicians to implement the concussion evaluation and management protocol (including the Locker Room Comprehensive Concussion Assessment Exam) during the games, and (iii) present to observe (and collaborate with the team physician when appropriate) the Sideline Concussion Assessment Exams and the locker room exams performed by club medical staff. These unaffiliated consultants also will be available to assist in transportation to an appropriate facility for more advanced evaluation and/or treatment as needed based on the Emergency Action Plan (EAP). These consulting physicians will work with the club’s medical staff and will assist in the diagnosis and care of the concussed player. The team physician/UNC unit will be located together for all concussion evaluations and management, both on and off the field. Should the Sideline UNC be unavailable to participate in the sideline evaluation (i.e., the Sideline UNC is treating another player in the locker room), the team physician may request to conduct the assessment with the second Sideline UNC who is present on the opposing team’s sideline. The Sideline UNC may present his/her questions or conduct additional testing and shall assist in the diagnosis and treatment of concussions. The responsibility for the diagnosis of concussion and the decision to return a player to a game remains exclusively within the professional judgment of the head team physician or the team physician assigned to managing TBI. The Sideline UNC will also be present for sideline evaluations for neuropraxia (“stingers” or “burners”) and other potential neck injuries. Sideline UNCs are required to wear a red hat with the NFL shield. 9. Booth Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant — During games, a third Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant (“Booth UNC”), selected by the NFL Head, Neck, and Spine Committee and approved by the NFL Chief Medical Officer and the NFLPA Medical Director, will be assigned to a stadium booth with access to multiple video feeds (including the live broadcast feed and audio) and replay to aid in the recognition of injury. The Booth UNC will be located with the ATC Spotter (see below). Each Booth UNC shall be a physician who (i) is impartial and independent from any club, (ii) is board certified or board eligible in neurology, neurological surgery, emergency medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, or any primary care CAQ sports medicine certified physician and (iii) has documented competence and experience in the treatment of acute head injuries. Booth UNCs must follow the NFL Concussion Protocol and are charged with monitoring all available video feeds and the network audio to identify players who may require additional medical evaluation. STADIUM FACILITIES A16
A17 When the Booth UNC observes a player who is clearly unstable or displays any other Potential Concussion Signs as outlined in the NFL Concussion Protocol following a mechanism of injury (e.g., a hit to the head or neck), he/she will contact the team physician and Sideline UNC by radio to ensure that a concussion evaluation is undertaken on the sideline. The club medical staff will then verify to the Booth UNC that the evaluation has been performed. The Booth UNC shall note the time of his initial contact with the club medical staff and the Sideline UNC alerting them of the need for further evaluation and also the time of the communication from the club medical staff and the Sideline UNC confirming that an evaluation has been performed. This information is to be conveyed in the Booth UNC report following the game. If the Booth UNC observes a player who he/ she has flagged for medical evaluation return to the game prior to receiving the confirmation from the club’s medical staff that an evaluation was conducted, he/she shall notify the ATC Spotter who shall call a Medical Time Out. For purposes of clarity, this is intended to serve as a redundant communication from the ATC spotter with the team physician or Sideline UNC to confirm that a concussion evaluation has been performed. If no such confirmation is provided, the ATC Spotter is required to call a Medical Time Out to ensure the concussion evaluation occurs. The responsibility for the diagnosis of concussion and the decision to return a player to a game remains exclusively within the professional judgement of the head team physician or the team physician assigned to managing TBI. 10. Team Physicians — Each club may designate up to two physicians permitted to leave the bench area and move along their sideline and on to the field for evaluation and intervention of potential player injuries. Unless addressing a potential injury on the field or in the bench area, these physicians must remain behind the broken yellow border and between the 10-yard lines. In an emergency situation, access to the end zone is permitted. These physicians will be identified by an NFL-issued photo credential. All other club medical personnel (including athletic trainers) must remain within the bench area, unless addressing a potential injury. Home team physicians are responsible on game day for the care of the Game Officials. In the event that a Game Official suffers an injury while at the stadium, a home team physician shall examine him/her and determine whether he/she will return to the game. If necessary, the physician will make arrangements for the Game Official to be transported to a medical facility. The physician will provide updates to the NFL Football Operations Representative and the NFL Officiating department on the status of any injured Game Official and his/her ability to return to the game. 11 . Visiting Team Medical Liaison — The Visiting Team Medical Liaison (VTML) is a locally licensed, board certified physician retained to facilitate healthcare for visiting team players and staff. Under each stadium’s mandatory EAP, every NFL club is required to retain one of these VTML physicians when playing a game (preseason, regular season, and postseason) at an away “out of state” destination in the United States. A roster of credentialed physicians who have been approved by the NFL and NFLPA to serve as VTMLs is maintained at the League office by the Management Council and may be used as a resource for clubs. The VTML will be stationed on the visiting sideline near the UNC and can be identified by an NFL-issued photo credential and red hat. 12. ATC Spotters — For all preseason, regular season, and postseason games, two independent certified athletic trainers, or ATC Spotters, will observe play on the field and monitor the game from the live “dirty” program feed from the network (“Dirty Feed”) in order to identify potential player injuries, with an emphasis on concussions and other head and neck injuries. All ATC Spotters are retained and assigned by the NFL and must meet the following criteria: • Maintains a current certification by the NATA BOC • Undergraduate degree from a four-year program • Minimum of ten years’ experience as an ATC • Significant college and/or professional sports experience • No paid full-time or part-time employment with an NFL team within the last five years • Cannot cover a game involving a team for which the spotter has had previous full-time employment ATC Spotters must initiate a communication test with the Referee at the following times on game day: • 50 minutes prior to kickoff • After the two-minute warning of the first half • Halftime • After the two-minute warning of the second half • Prior to any overtime periods STADIUM FACILITIES
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations The ATC Spotters will use the Injury Video Review System’s monitor and recording equipment to monitor play on the field and review network footage of the game. When an ATC Spotter observes a potential head or neck injury, he or she will communicate with the appropriate medical staff to confirm the player jersey number and situation in which the injury may have occurred. The ATC Spotter must speak directly to the head team physician, UNC, or a member of the athletic training staff when reviewing a potential injury. This information cannot be provided to the person who is assigned to answer the bench phones to relay to club medical personnel. An ATC Spotter will not diagnose any injuries or advise treatment but will simply alert the club medical personnel to a potential injury. In addition, an ATC Spotter may initiate a game stoppage to remove a player from the field for medical examination in the event an ATC Spotter has clear visual evidence that: (1) a player displays obvious signs of disorientation or is clearly unstable; and (2) it becomes apparent that the player will remain in the game and not be attended to by the club’s medical or athletic training staff. In those narrowly defined circumstances, an ATC Spotter will take the following steps: a. Contact the officiating crew over the Official-to-Official (O2O) communication system to identify the player by his team and jersey number. i. n the event an ATC Spotter is unable to communicate with the designated Game Official, he or she I will utilize the radio and contact the League’s Field Communicator (“Teal Hat”), who will relay the team and player’s number to the nearest on-field Game Official. b. Contact the medical staff of the player involved and advise that the player appears to be in need of medical attention. Upon being called by an ATC Spotter, the designated Game Official will immediately stop the game, go to the player in question, and await the arrival of medical personnel to ensure that the player is attended to and escorted off the field. The game and play clocks will stop (if running) and remain frozen until the player is removed from the game. Both clocks will start again from the same point unless the play clock was inside 10 seconds, in which case it will be reset to 10. The team will have an opportunity to replace the player with a substitute, and the opponent will have an opportunity to match up as necessary. No member of the coaching staff may enter the playing field, and no player other than the player receiving medical attention may go to the sideline unless he has been replaced by a substitute player. Once the player is removed from the playing field, the club medical staff will conduct an evaluation of him as required by the governing protocols before making any decision regarding the player’s eligibility to return to play. The return-to-play decision will be made by the medical staff consistent with the protocols. In no instance is this evaluation period less than one play, unless there is a team time out taken, the period ends, the two-minute warning commences, or the injury was due to a foul by an opponent. An injury time out will not be charged to a team that has a player removed during this process. Any deliberate attempt by a team and/or player to stop play unnecessarily; prolong or delay the process; improperly take advantage of a stoppage in play; or influence the actions of an ATC Spotter will be considered an “unfair act” and may result in discipline, in addition to any on-field penalty assessed by the Game Officials. 13. IVR Operators — The ATC Spotters will be supported by and seated near two IVR booth operators who are responsible for operating the Injury Video Review System. (See A36 for a complete description of this system.) The IVR booth operators are responsible for tagging plays and replays at the direction of the ATC Spotters, which could be used by club medical personnel for later review. When an ATC Spotter observes a potential injury, he or she will direct the IVR booth operator(s) to tag the appropriate play and associated replays in the network broadcast. If a member of the club’s medical staff would like to review video of a potential injury, he or she should alert an ATC Spotter via radio, bench phone, or intercom system in the sideline technology cart. When using the bench area IVRS monitor, two members of the club medical staff can communicate with an ATC Spotter and the IVR booth operator through a headset. The door covering the IVRS monitor will be opened to enable the club medical staff to view the video. The club medical personnel can direct the IVR field operator to show specific angles, rewind, slow the video, etc. Only team physicians, the UNC, and a member of the athletic training staff are permitted to use this video equipment. Under no circumstances are coaches, players, or non-medical personnel permitted to utilize or view the Injury Video Review System during the game. At the conclusion of the review, the door covering the IVRS monitor must be closed. Two IVR field operators (one on each sideline) will be assigned to all games to support club medical personnel when reviewing injury video. STADIUM FACILITIES A18
A19 14. Game Day Medical Radio Communication — The local League-appointed IVR operators are responsible for distributing one case containing fully charged and operational radios with antennas, one speaker mic, and one noise canceling earbud to each club’s athletic training staff. The home club has the option to retain possession of its radios, speaker mic, and earbud throughout the season. Each club’s athletic training staff will be provided with 24 earpieces. The visiting club’s athletic training staff is required to travel with their earpieces. The home club athletic training staff and the visiting club athletic training staff will have its own dedicated radio frequency (channel) cleared by the local League-appointed Event Frequency Coordinator (EFC). The League- appointed medical staff will have both home and visiting radio frequency channels on their radios and will always support both channels. Three hours prior to kickoff, the IVR operators are required to distribute a case containing 12 fully charged radios with antennas, one speaker mic, and one noise canceling earbud to the visiting club’s athletic training staff at the entrance to the visiting locker room. It is the responsibility of the visiting club’s athletic training staff to return the case with these components to an IVR operator at the entrance to the visiting locker room following the conclusion of the game. At 2 hours prior to kickoff, the IVR operators are required to distribute radios with antennas to the local League- appointed UNCs (3), Airway Management Physician (1), and an ATC Spotter (1). In addition to the radio with antenna, Sideline UNCs (2) and Airway Management Physician (1) will also get a noise canceling earbud. It is the responsibility of each individual to return these components to an IVR operator at an agreed-upon location at the conclusion of the game. It is the responsibility of the IVR operators to inventory all components at the end of the game. If a radio, antenna, speaker mic, and/or noise canceling earbud is missing from the case, it will be replaced prior to the next home game. However, the club or League-appointed medical personnel responsible for the lost component will be responsible for the replacement cost. At the conclusion of the season, it is the responsibility of the IVR operators to return all radios, antennas, speaker mics, noise canceling earbuds, and cases to the dedicated member of the home club’s athletic training staff. Each club will then be responsible for shipping the equipment to the manufacturer for servicing. K. COACHES BOOTHS The NFL Rule of Equity applies to all aspects pertaining to coaches booths. Accordingly, the home club shall provide the visiting club with accommodations in an area where the visiting club’s coaches have an unobstructed view of the playing field (such area to be at the same elevation as the home coaches booth) and game/play clocks; unobstructed and private use of telephone facilities to their bench; and audio of the Referee announcements (which must be isolated from other press box/PA Announcements). Clubs are recommended to provide a dedicated 20-amp circuit for each coaches booth. Home club and stadium personnel are not permitted in the visiting coaches booth, and no one may occupy seats that interfere with the privacy of visiting coaches or with the normal discharge of their duties. 1. TV Monitors — It is mandatory that all clubs provide television monitors in the coaches booths. The visiting team must be provided with the same number and size color television monitors as the home team, and they must be situated in the same respective locations. Each coaches booth must have at least two monitors, one of which must be at least 32 inches. All television monitors must be able to support at minimum, a 1080p video signal, while also having two HDMI inputs. No additional replay capability is permitted other than that provided by the televising network. All television monitors in the coaches booths must only show the live Dirty Feed of the game. The feed used in the coaches booths will be supplied directly from the network television truck, minimizing the delay between live play and the broadcast. This feed is identical to the feed used in the Instant Replay Booth. Prior to each game, the Instant Replay Technician will be responsible for confirming that both coaches booths have the correct video feed. If any additional monitors beyond the requisite two are not equipped to receive the live Dirty Feed, they must be kept off for the entirety of the game. Any questions or concerns regarding the game feed in the coaches booths should be directed to the Instant Replay Technician, located in the Instant Replay Booth. The equity rule applies until kickoff for coaches booth television monitors. If either the home club’s or the visiting club’s television monitors are not operational at kickoff, the NFL Football Operations Representative must be notified. After verification that equity applies, equity will be enforced relative to the number of operable television monitors until the problem is resolved. If both sets of coaches television monitors are fully functional at kickoff, the equity rule is no longer in effect, and if either club’s monitors malfunction, the other club may continue to use its monitors. STADIUM FACILITIES
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations 2. Technology — All League-approved game technology in the coaches booth is installed and certified by NFL Information Technology before the start of the season. Clubs are required to ensure that coaches booths are well-maintained, clean, and organized to support the technical operations of game day technology. Cabling must be labeled and installed securely so they do not present trip hazards. 3. Climate Controls — If the home club chooses to use any special booth climate control devices, it must also offer them to the visiting club. 4. Locations — Locations and specifications of visiting coaches booths in all NFL stadiums are stated in the Directory of Club Contacts (Section C) . Home clubs are required to seek approval from the NFL Football Operations department prior to any renovation or relocation of the coaches booths. 5. Security — Home clubs are required to supply at least two security guards to escort visiting coaches between the visitor’s locker room and their booths before the game, at halftime, and at the conclusion of the game. Coaches must be given priority access to elevators before, during, and after games. Security guards escorting visiting coaches must be aware of the alternate routes in the event the primary route is unavailable or obstructed. 6. Alternate Route – Home clubs are required to plan alternate routes from the visiting coaches booth to the locker room in case the primary route (elevator, staircase, etc.) is unavailable or obstructed. The alternate route may include permitting the visiting coaches to use the same route as the home coaches, with the visiting coaches having priority. Clubs must be able to provide these alternate routes to NFL Football Operations upon request. Failure to plan, execute, or assist with alternate routes will be considered a violation of this policy. 7. Transportation — If the locker rooms are a significant distance from the coaches elevators, the home team must provide golf carts to transport all coaches between the locker rooms and the elevator to the coaches booths. 8. Privacy — Both clubs’ coaching staffs are entitled to a reasonable degree of privacy in the coaches booths. If a booth is located next to another working booth, suite, or other public seating area and has a window rather than a wall separating the two areas, a curtain or frosted glass should be provided up to eye-level for someone seated in the coaches booths but must not create a visual obstruction to any portion of the field. If no curtain, frosting, or similar screening is provided, the coaching staff is permitted to tape paper to the window up to eye- level for someone seated in the coaches booths. If a coaches booth (home or visitors) is located adjacent to a club executive, football personnel, or club ownership booth, the window(s) must be frosted up to eye-level; temporary privacy measures are prohibited (e.g., curtain, paper, etc.). Under no circumstances may home or visiting club staff enter the opposing coaches booth on game day without prior authorization from the opposing club. Game Day Assistants (GDAs) or other stadium staff do not have the authority to grant access to the opposing club’s coaches booth. L. COACHING AIDS The types of information-gathering equipment that may be used by a club as a coaching aid are limited by the NFL Constitution and Bylaws [9.1 (C)(14)] to field phones and Polaroid-type cameras in the coaches booth. Therefore, unless specifically permitted by League rules, the use of any electronic communication devices or video recording/ viewing devices, including but not limited to a cell phone, smart watch or similar wearable devices, Bluetooth devices, tablet device, or any type of computer, whether online or stand-alone, in the coaches booths, on the sidelines, in the locker room, or in any other club-controlled area during a game is prohibited. Such devices are prohibited in the coaches booths, in the bench areas, locker rooms, or in any other club-controlled area beginning at kickoff and continuing through the end of the game, including halftime. Doctors and members of the athletic training staff are permitted to use cell phones outside of the bench area, locker rooms, and other club-controlled areas to communicate player injury information but may not communicate competitive or strategic information. Club football operations staff members are permitted to use cell phones outside the coaches booths, bench areas, and locker rooms only when handling non-competitive and/or non-strategic communication. Software, applications, or similar game planning technology is prohibited for use in-game by players, coaches, or other staff members in club-controlled areas (locker room, bench area, coaches booth). Additionally, clubs may not use any of the abovementioned technology in other non-club-controlled areas and subsequently distribute materials and/or information to club-controlled areas. Any video or audio content captured by pylon cameras, aerial cameras, or any club or stadium-controlled in-house cameras (used for in-stadium production, behind the scenes shows, coaching shows, or any other purpose) is STADIUM FACILITIES A20
A21 prohibited for use as a coaching aid in-game or for game planning purposes outside of game day. Additionally, clubs are not permitted to request or review any game footage from CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC, NFL Network, Prime Video or any other broadcast partner that was not part of the televised broadcast. Video shot from established team video locations and the television broadcast of a game are the only video permitted to be used for game planning purposes. Any misuse of in-stadium camera footage is considered a violation of this policy. Beyond recording play on the field from established team video filming locations, video recording of any type, including but not limited to recording of pregame warm-ups or of an opponent’s offensive or defensive signals, is prohibited on the sidelines, in the coaches booths, locker rooms, press box or at any other unapproved location during the game. This prohibition includes wearable recording devices, and any other device, tablet or computer that has the capability to record video. Furthermore, no video of the game in progress may be made available to coaches, players, or club personnel for review during the game or at halftime. Use of technology, including but not limited to wireless, digital, network, or other similar connections are prohibited to be used to transfer coaches’ video until the game is over. Coaches are permitted to use binoculars in the coaches booths, but coaches and other staff are prohibited from using binoculars in the bench or other field areas during the game. Clubs are further reminded that the use of any type of camera (including binoculars with recording capabilities and video cameras) by scouts during a game is forbidden. Provisions for scouting upcoming opponents are adequately covered by requiring the home club to grant press box access to visitors, as well as by the exchange of game footage. Sideline Viewing System (SVS) — Still shots of game action taken by club video cameras at the established filming locations, either printed on paper or viewed on an NFL-issued tablet, are considered to be within the definition of “Polaroid-type cameras” and are permissible. These stills may be produced within or near the bench area, at the Video Director’s filming location, or in the coaches booths, provided no moving video of the game is available to coaches, players or club personnel during the game or at halftime. For stadiums that utilize a bunker or dugout area for SVS, this area is considered an extension of the bench area and all policies, including electronic device policies, apply. Coaches are permitted to view still photos on NFL-issued Microsoft Surface tablets. In order to eliminate the possibility of the devices being used impermissibly in order to gain a competitive advantage, the tablets are specifically designed to limit capabilities beyond viewing coaches’ still photos. Any attempts to alter tablet hardware or software without prior League approval is considered an integrity of the game violation. All tablets will have League-controlled game statistics integrated into the tablet for club access. Statistics will originate solely from nflgsis.com and will only deliver club and player-level game statistics for that game. Failure of the statistics functionality will not invoke an equity scenario. Each club is permitted to use 16 tablets in the bench area and 12 tablets in the coaches booth, with four spare devices available for use in each bench area. The home club is responsible for providing all devices and related equipment on game day. League-employed Purple Hat Technicians are responsible for setting up and maintaining these tablets on game day. Coaches on the field have the option of using tablets for still photo viewing or using paper printouts. Paper printouts will serve as a backup for the tablets on the field. Coaches in the booth will only have access to NFL-issued tablets. Clubs may opt to bring the NFL-issued Microsoft Surface tablets from the field level into the locker room at halftime; however, this is prohibited during the pregame period. For more information on the Sideline Viewing System, see A29 . M. PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM 1. Penalties and Game Information — The stadium public address system must be utilized to provide key information in a timely manner regarding penalties, rules clarifications, injuries, key blocks, tackles, and defensive plays. All efforts should be made to ensure that stadium and press box public address announcers have a good understanding of the playing and scoring rules and operate under the control of the home club. The public address announcer must state the visiting team’s down and distance prior to the visiting team reaching the line of scrimmage or the play clock reaching 15 seconds, whichever occurs first, in the manner described below. 2. Prompting the Fans — The public address announcer, DJ, stadium host, or similar stadium personnel using a live mic is permitted to prompt the fans and emphasize down and distance calls prior to the visiting team reaching the line of scrimmage (determined as when the center places his hand on the ball) or the play clock reaching 20 seconds, whichever occurs first. Prerecorded videos of players, fans, or mascots, including audio that constitutes prompting the fans, are also only permitted until the visiting team reaches the line of scrimmage or the play clock reaches 20 seconds when the visiting team is on offense, whichever occurs first. STADIUM FACILITIES
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations Prior to the play clock reaching 15 seconds or the visiting team reaching the line of scrimmage, whichever occurs first, the down and distance may be announced solely for informational purposes. There may be no emphasizing the down and distance after the play clock reaches 20 seconds. NFL Football Operations retains the authority to deem the actions of any club/stadium personnel as below the standards of professionalism and sportsmanship and may impose discipline on the club and/or individuals responsible for such conduct. Additionally, this policy will be reviewed periodically throughout the season in the event that competitive issues arise. 3. Music During Injury Timeout — It is recommended that music and video during an injury timeout be sensitive to the serious situation on the field. 4. Stadium PA Audio Levels — The home team must make reasonable audio adjustments if the stadium PA volume is impacting the operation of the televising network or standard game operations as determined by NFL Football Operations. Reasonable adjustments should be made to in-stadium audio including, but not limited to, adjusting the audio levels or placement of field-level speakers so that they are not pointing directly at and/or positioned next to a televising network set in a way that interferes with the network production. N. SCOREBOARD/VIDEO BOARDS 1. Other NFL Scores — Scoreboard and ribbon board space should be utilized to provide updates of other NFL game developments. 2. Down and Distance — Down and distance must be displayed on a video and/or ribbon board near a game clock for use of displaying critical game information. Clubs are required to staff two individuals in the press box to support this operation: an operator for entry and a spotter to communicate information to the operator. Both the operator and spotter must be cross-trained on the operation and technology in advance of working in these roles. It is imperative that the down and distance operator must change the down, distance, and field position as soon as possible as club videographers are required to film the scoreboard prior to each play. Whenever any part of the ball touches a yard line, it is considered to be on that yard line; whenever the entire ball is beyond a yard line, the ball is considered to be at the next yard line. Down and distance operators can determine the location of the ball for the next play more quickly by keying on the actions of the Game Official who covers the play. The Game Official(s) will indicate forward progress on a play by assuming a stationary position with right or left foot forward on the ground, even while the runner/receiver is being tackled. This signal is given very quickly and can be of assistance to the scoreboard operator concerning where the ball will be spotted for the next play. Further, the covering Game Official will place the football that had been used during a play on the ground in the side zone and will secure a substitute football from the ball crew member, which will be thrown in from the sideline to be spotted at the hashmark. The down and distance operator should make the changes as soon as the spot is determined, whether or not a timeout or end of the quarter has occurred. 3. Replays — Clubs can add to their in-house fans enjoyment by using the video boards to show the live game telecast as well as available highlights from the NFL RedZone channel. Specific types of plays require mandatory replays. The home club is required to show at least one replay on the primary stadium video board(s) after all touchdowns, safeties, turnovers (a turnover on downs does not require a replay), fumbles recovered by the offense, plays under review (booth reviews and coaches’ challenges), first downs (including first downs as a result of a penalty), and potential receptions along the sideline or back of the end zone (regardless of whether ruled complete or incomplete on the field). The mandatory replay must include the relevant play action and must be shown prior to the next snap, except in the case of touchdowns, which can be shown until the ensuing kickoff. If the game is stopped for an Instant Replay review (either as the result of a booth review or a coaches’ challenge), the home club may only show the network broadcast feed or the live instant replay “under the hood” feed during the review. If the broadcasting network goes to break during a review, the home club is permitted to show a previously recorded version of the play, provided the play was recorded from the network feed. In addition, at any time during the stoppage, until the Referee has announced the result of the review, a recorded version of the “under the hood” feed can be shown, provided the “under the hood” feed is not manipulated. Once a decision is announced on a review, no replays may be shown of the play that was under review. Replays of plays that were reviewed can be used later in the game for highlight packages, but not immediately following a review. A22 STADIUM FACILITIES
A23 4. Timeouts Remaining — At each of the two-minute warnings, the number of timeouts remaining should be visible to the coaches, players, and fans or be announced over the PA system. 5. Injury Updates — The home club is required to post injury updates in a timely manner on the stadium video boards, scoreboards, or ribbon boards in conjunction with the broadcast and press box injury updates reported through the club PR representative in the press box. 6. Club-Controlled Video — The use of scoreboards, video boards, ribbon boards, or message boards for cheers is permitted. Television clips, movie clips, club-produced video (such as highlight packages), video of fans, video of cheerleaders, and video of mascots can be shown in order to encourage crowd noise provided the video is not in poor taste, as determined by the NFL Football Operations department. Audio may accompany the video until the play clock reaches 20 seconds or the visiting team reaches the line of scrimmage, whichever occurs first. Flashing images on the video board and ribbon boards are permitted; however, the NFL Football Operations department will retain authority to notify clubs during the season that certain video or ribbon feeds will be prohibited going forward. Invasive video of the visiting team’s huddle, strategic conferences in its bench area, or the face of the quarterback at the line of scrimmage are forbidden at any time. Video of the visiting team quarterback must be from the waist up or include the two offensive guards in the shot. Close-up video from behind the quarterback is permitted. 7. Video During Kicks — All video and ribbon boards must show either a static image (e.g., no flashing images, blinking effects, moving text/images, etc.) or an All-22 shot during field goal attempts and extra point attempts. Any flashing, moving, or blinking text/images displayed on video boards or ribbon boards during field goal attempts and extra points are considered a violation of this policy. The prohibition will begin when the kicking team reaches the line of scrimmage and continues through the signal by the game officials following the kick. 8. Locker Room Video — The home club is permitted to show live or pre-recorded locker room footage throughout game day. In order to provide locker room footage, all home clubs are required to either install a camera or allow a handheld camera in the locker room prior to the team leaving the locker room for introductions. Clubs may also record locker room footage during halftime and/or postgame. The home club shall have control over collection, editing, and distribution within their stadium of all locker room footage. Locker room cameras are required in both home and visiting locker rooms for all League-run games. The League will partner with the participating clubs to oversee the collection, editing, and distribution of all locker room content captured via these cameras at League-run games. This footage is only to be displayed on the stadium video boards or via an in-stadium wireless application. 9. Standard of Professionalism — NFL Football Operations retains the authority to deem any video feeds or game presentation elements as below the standard of professionalism and sportsmanship and may impose discipline on the club and/or individuals responsible for such conduct. Additionally, all policies will be reviewed periodically throughout the season in the event that competitive issues arise. O. IN-STADIUM CLOCKS 1. Game Clocks — Game clocks must be located in both end zones and at each 50-yard line in all NFL stadiums so that the quarterback and Game Officials are able to see the game clock at all times, no matter which end zone they are working toward. Each 50-yard line clock must be installed in a way that allows easy viewing by television, radio, other media, stat crews, Game Officials, and club video personnel. Clocks should be located near a down and distance display to aid club video personnel who must record game time, down, and distance prior to each play. Game clocks in each of the required locations may never be turned off during any part of the game (including halftime and timeouts). This also applies to game clocks that are displayed within the ribbon boards. At 90 minutes prior to kickoff, the NFL game clock operator will set a countdown clock to be displayed in the stadium. 2. 40/25-Second Play Clocks — There are two standard systems of time intervals between plays. For normal plays, the interval is 40 seconds and begins from the time the ball is dead until it is snapped on the succeeding play. The 40-second play clock will also begin after a score and upon the signal by the covering Game Official, provided there are no administrative stoppages or television timeouts. For administrative stoppages (e.g., change of possession, time out, review of scoring plays, injury, measurement, penalty, etc.) the interval is 25 seconds, beginning with a signal from the Referee. The home club is responsible for having in operation two synchronized play clocks at opposite ends of the stadium that are visible to coaches, players, and fans. The preferred location, to the eye of a set quarterback, is STADIUM FACILITIES
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations to the right of the goal posts at least 8 feet off the ground. If the play clock is at field level and less than 8 feet off the ground, it must also be duplicated in a location at least 8 feet off the ground, within the same vicinity as the field level clock. Security should ensure that all play clocks at field level are not blocked by on-field personnel. Play clocks in the required locations may never be turned off during any part of the game (including timeouts). However, if one play clock becomes inoperative or experiences technical difficulties, NFL Football Operations will instruct that the other play clock be shut down until the first is restored to service. To distinguish the play clock, improve visibility, and avoid a quarterback or coach confusing it with the time- of-game clock, clubs must outline the play clock with a strip of white tape (or paint) at least 6 inches wide. No advertisements should be placed in any location that could cause confusion or distractions from the play clock. Play clock numbers must be at least 28 inches in height. P. MUSIC IN STADIUM Radio-edit versions of music must be played in stadiums, including during the pregame period. Explicit lyrics or other potentially offensive content is not permitted. Each NFL stadium must possess three Public Performance Licenses. These licenses allow for the public playing of music (live or recorded). A public performance license must be obtained from each of the three major Performing Rights Organizations (PRO). Each PRO represents different songwriters, composers, publishers, and copyright holders, and each organization licenses only the copyrighted works of its own respective affiliated copyright holders. The three major PROs are ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. Q. SIGNS IN STANDS On game day, it is the home club’s responsibility to prevent the display of temporary signs or banners that obstruct network cameras, sightlines, game clocks, or play clocks; or that are inflammatory, derogatory, or generally in poor taste, as determined by the NFL Football Operations department. Clubs must allow the applicable television networks to place appropriate signs/banners on end zone walls or on field level walls across the field from camera locations so that they may be shown on the telecast that has been purchased by the network. Conversely, clubs may not allow local radio/television stations or other commercial entities to position signs/banners on end zone walls or on field level walls across from network camera locations or on the field, including sideline areas, so that television networks will be forced to show such signs as part of their telecasts and therefore provide free television time. If a television network is obliged to tender “make good” time to a sponsor (or sponsors) because of commercial stadium signage located in a manner that forces the network to provide free television time for competitive entities, the home club will be fully responsible for reimbursing the network for those payments to sponsors. R. FIELD SEATS Field-level seating is not permitted outside of the players’ bench area without written approval from the NFL Football Operations department. This includes any seating configuration that rests on the field level (e.g., folding chairs, bleachers, platforms or risers, extensions of permanent seating that protrude into, or rest on, the field level, etc.). Requests for field-level seating must include pictures with dimensions and a diagram of the proposed seating area, which must be submitted at least two weeks in advance of the first requested date of use. If a club’s request is structurally the same size and location, and serves the same function for all home games, clubs only need to submit that request one time for the regular season. In order for field-level seating to be considered for approval, it must meet the following requirements: • Field level seats must be staged against the stadium wall and the location, structure and/or setup of the field level seats must not interfere or impact general game operations. • End zone field seats must allow for adequate space from the back of the end zone (6-foot white border) to the field wall in order for personnel to flow freely behind the end zone. Adequate spacing is defined as 3 feet of space from the broken yellow border to the field level seating structure. End zone field seats must not interfere with acceptable low end zone camera positions, as determined by NFL Broadcasting. • Sideline field-level seats may not create a pinch point or interfere with network TV camera carts or other sideline personnel moving up and down the sidelines, as determined by NFL Broadcasting. Sideline field seats must be staged against an existing field wall. A24 STADIUM FACILITIES
A25 • Field level seats must be enclosed with padded, semi-permanent structures, with no expectation of in-game field access beyond ingress and egress. Bike racks are not considered a permissible way to “pen” in a section of field- le vel seating. For vendor suggestions, please contact the NFL Football Operations department. Drum lines and bands are permitted to occupy and perform from a field-level seating area with written approval from the NFL Football Operations department. For on-field drum lines or bands to be considered for approval, they must meet the following requirements: • All drum lines and bands must be located between the 20-yard line and the end zone. • All drum lines and bands must be enclosed by a padded, semi-permanent structure. • Drum line and band enclosures must not interfere with network TV camera carts or other sideline personnel. • All drum lines and bands must adhere to the Crowd Noise policy on A66 . S. END ZONE AND KICKING NETS Clubs are required to install and maintain end zone nets that minimize balls being kicked into the stands to prevent possible fan injury. Clubs temporarily without nets should work with stadium personnel to prevent fan scrambles that might produce injuries or fights. The home club is also responsible for providing the visiting club with at least one kicking net, in good condition and with no visible branding, for use on the sideline, as well as items to secure kicking nets during inclement weather (e.g., sandbags, weights, etc.). Clubs must use best efforts to ensure that kicking nets and players warming up in-game (i.e., kickers, punters, long snappers) remain within the bench area. Additionally, clubs are required to have a security member available to ensure that field credentialed media and staff do not interfere with players and/or club personnel using the net. T. STADIUM ACCESS/PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) includes provisions regarding physical accommodations that must be made in stadiums and other places of “public accommodation” for the benefit of disabled persons. This requirement applies to all areas of the stadium, including seating, entrances and exits, sound systems, restrooms, concessions, amenities, and parking. All clubs are required to ensure that the facilities they occupy are in compliance with the ADA, whether through appropriate lease provisions with their stadium landlord, or directly in their capacity as stadium owner or manager. Questions and concerns regarding the ADA should be directed to the NFL Legal department. U. STADIUM VIDEO LOCATIONS A sideline, end zone, and second end zone filming location must be available for the purpose of filming each club’s coaches video. Each location must have equal vantage points, be enclosed (including in an indoor stadium), and protected from inclement weather. Club filming locations cannot be changed without League approval. To ensure the protection of equipment and employees of the clubs’ video departments, clubs must follow the below requirements for the video filming locations at its stadium: • Any doors entering the filming locations within the public seating areas of the stadium are required to be lockable from both the inside and outside of the location to prevent unauthorized access. In addition, the home club is required to provide security at the visiting club’s video locations, if requested. • All locations must have climate control (heat and/or fans). Any heaters and/or fans must be completely operational and produce the intended effect. Heaters that do not produce any heat should be replaced. • All locations must supply adequate power for each club technology use (at least two outlets per club). All other connectivity requirements are outlined in the Club Video Policy on A111 . • t is suggested that each filming location provide either countertop space or tables for both clubs. I The League will designate the use of a full-field camera (“All-29”) to be located in the vicinity of the team sideline filming location at all games. This camera must be available for use at least 4 hours prior to kickoff. The All-29 camera angle will only be utilized by the NFL Officiating department and injury video review but will not be incorporated into the broadcast nor used during replay reviews. Clubs are not permitted to utilize video footage from the All-29 camera, nor may they request it. This camera is permanently mounted and will be placed in a “parked” position following each game. A club may, at its discretion, place a League-provided hood on the camera for privacy between games, as long as the hood is removed at least 4 hours prior to kickoff. STADIUM FACILITIES
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations V. INSTANT REPLAY BOOTH All clubs must provide an enclosed Instant Replay Booth comparable to the location of the coaches booths, with an unobstructed view of the entire playing field, for operation of the instant replay system. No one other than those specifically authorized may enter the Instant Replay Booth on game day. In order for a replay booth to be approved by the League office, it must be wide enough to seat four people abreast and deep enough to accommodate the installation of recording equipment behind the replay staff. A counter across the front of the booth will be needed for the placement of television monitors, telephones, and other equipment. Any equipment unrelated to the function of instant replay may not be in the booth on game day. The club and/or stadium will be responsible for providing an alternate storage location for any such equipment. The booth is required to have a ceiling speaker that provides announcements by the Referee for penalties or any other pertinent information. Home clubs are required to seek approval from the NFL Football Operations department prior to any renovation or relocation of the Instant Replay Booth. W. BROADCAST OUTAGE In the event there is a power outage or some other issue that impacts a televising networks’ ability to broadcast the game, kickoff may be delayed depending on the circumstances, as determined by the League. If the outage occurs during the game, a television break will be taken at the next natural break opportunity. Based on the evaluation of the outage, the League will decide whether to suspend or continue play. If a game is being played without being broadcast, the Referee will notify both head coaches that no aspect of instant replay (coaches challenge, NY replay decisions, etc.) and no monitors in the coaches booth will be available until the issue is resolved and the instant replay system is functional. In the event one of the head coaches throws their challenge flag while instant replay is inoperative, the officiating crew will remind the head coach that challenges are not available. Once power is established and the network is able to broadcast the game, the Referee will notify both head coaches at the next natural break that the instant replay system is operable, and all replay rules will be in effect. The Referee will make a similar announcement over the PA system. X. DOMED STADIUMS 1. Retractable Roof and/or Retractable Wall — For purposes of this policy, “wall” refers to retractable end zone walls, doors, or moveable panels. Retractable “roof” also refers to multiple independently operated panels that must be designated as open or closed in full (i.e., cannot elect to open some panels but not all). The home club will have the authority to determine if the retractable roof and/or the retractable wall will be open or closed for each preseason and regular season game. The home club may choose to open the roof and/or wall on a game-by-game basis and may elect to open the roof and close the wall, and vice versa. The home club must indicate the positioning of the roof and/or wall via the electronic Game Day Administration Report, as well as at the 90-Minute Meeting. There is no requirement for the home club to notify the visiting club or Game Officials of its determination earlier than 90 minutes prior to kickoff. In the event a game begins with the roof and/or wall in the open position and it is closed pursuant to the procedures set forth below, the roof and/or wall must thereafter remain in the closed position for the duration of the game. If the home club elects to set the roof and/or wall in the closed position for the game, it must remain closed for the entire game. For Wild Card and Divisional playoff games, the Commissioner will defer to the home club’s written policy, if reasonable under the circumstances. If, however, the Commissioner determines that the home club’s roof and/or wall policy is unreasonable, or in the event the home club does not have a written policy, then the decision is solely at the discretion of the Commissioner. For the Conference Championship games, the Pro Bowl, and the Super Bowl, the decision is solely within the discretion of the Commissioner. Pregame Procedures a. During the week prior to a game and on game day, the League’s tarp rule will be in effect if the roof is open (see A47 ). b. At 90 minutes prior to kickoff, the home club is required to notify the Referee whether the roof, wall, and/or curtains shall be open or closed. The opening or closing must be completed no later than 60 minutes prior to kickoff. (The designated position for curtains will remain unchanged for the entire game.) c. If the home club elects for the roof and/or wall to be open, the Referee (after receiving input from the Stadium Manager and the NFL Football Operations Representative) has the authority to close the roof and/or wall during the pregame period in the following circumstances: i. A hazardous condition (lightning, severe winds, etc.) develops or is anticipated that threatens A26 STADIUM FACILITIES
A27 the welfare of participants, spectators, and/or stadium facilities; ii. Precipitation begins. In-Game Procedures a. If a game starts with the roof and/or wall open, the Referee has the authority to decide if the roof shall be closed in the following circumstances (after receiving input from the Stadium Manager and the NFL Football Operations Representative): i. A hazardous condition develops or is anticipated that threatens the welfare of participants, spectators, and/or stadium facilities; ii. Precipitation begins (this will only apply up to the last five minutes of the fourth quarter); • The decision to close the wall in the event of precipitation will be made by the club after notifying the NFL Football Operations Representative. iii. If the fourth quarter ends with the roof and/or wall in the open position, no change will be made prior to or during an overtime period, unless it is closed pursuant to the procedures for hazardous conditions as set forth above. Play may continue while the roof and/or wall is being closed, subject to the Referee suspending play pursuant to the procedures for emergency situations. If the roof and/or wall is closed pursuant to the above, it must remain closed for the remainder of the game. For purposes of the Retractable Roof and/or Retractable Wall section, precipitation will be considered a “hazardous condition” in stadiums where the facilities are not equipped to withstand moisture, as determined by the NFL Football Operations department. Only in these limited circumstances may a roof and/or wall be closed in anticipation of precipitation. 2. Items Suspended from Roof — A minimum height for anything suspended from the roof of a stadium over the playing field is 85 feet above the ground. This includes but is not limited to sound speakers, video screens, scoreboards, and clocks. New designs (suspensions) must receive prior written approval from the NFL Football Operations department. Pursuant to Rule 7, Section 2, Article 1(p) of the Official Playing Rules, if a loose ball in play strikes a video board, guide wire, sky cam, or any other object, the ball will be dead immediately, and the down will be replayed at the previous spot. If there is not an on-field ruling that the ball struck an object, the Replay Official is empowered to initiate a booth review, even if the event occurs prior to the two-minute warning. If, prior to the two-minute warning, no booth review is initiated by the Replay Official, a coach’s challenge is permitted under the established rules for such a challenge. 3. Stadium Lights — Stadium lights must be turned on at least 60 minutes prior to kickoff in all domed stadiums and in all stadiums with a retractable roof in the closed position. The Referee has the final authority when determining if stadium lights will be used at an outdoor stadium, and may consider input from the participating teams, the broadcasting network, and local public safety officials. If stadium lights are being turned off as part of pregame player introductions, the lights cannot be turned off until both teams have cleared the field following the conclusion of the official team pregame warm-ups. All stadium lights must be fully illuminated prior to kickoff. If stadium lights are turned off as part of the halftime show, they must be fully illuminated prior to second half kickoff. Prior to using lighting effects during a game, clubs must outline their plan for getting lights back to an acceptable game play level in the event of a malfunction. The plan must include the reset process and the estimated amount of time it would take to return the lights to an acceptable level to continue play. This must be submitted prior to the season and approved by NFL Football Operations prior to use in game. If the plan is not approved, the club will have the opportunity to resubmit a revised plan. If approved, the use of lighting effects must adhere to the following guidelines: • Lighting effects are permitted during the pregame period up until the coin toss (provided the effects do not interfere with broadcast coverage). • Lighting effects are permitted during TV timeouts and halftime but must return to full illumination at least 30 seconds prior to the broadcast network returning from break. • Lighting effects are not permitted during game play or during broadcast game coverage, including but not limited to after significant events (e.g., touchdowns, turnovers, sacks, etc.). • Lighting effects used postgame may not start until after the broadcast window concludes, unless preapproved in advance by the broadcast network. Unauthorized use of lighting effects will be considered a violation of this policy. STADIUM FACILITIES
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations A28
A29 A. FOOTBALL TECHNOLOGY CORE (FTC) The Football Technology Core is the central operating system that powers all game day systems, which includes but is not limited to: Coach-to-Coach Communication (C2C), Sideline Viewing System (SVS), Instant Replay (IR), and Injury Video Review System (IVRS). Critical network and server hardware devices related to all Football Technology systems are stored in this room/cabinet. 1. Space — Each Club is required to provide space in its stadium to house a minimum of four racks, with the minimum dimensions of 42” Depth, 85” Height per rack. The racks must be secured to the floor. 2. Power — Each NFL rack must have three dedicated circuits with a combination of either 20 AMP/120 VAC or 30 AMP/208 VAC, depending on the equipment in each rack. Any recurring costs must be covered by the club/ stadium as part of general operations. 3. HVAC — The FTC space should be able to accommodate 30,000 BTU while maintaining a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Any recurring costs must be covered by the club/stadium as part of general operations. 4. Security / Access — A League-approved security camera that faces the racks must be installed in the space where the FTC is located. This space must be locked at all times, and a key card or key should be provided to select NFL Game Day Assistants (GDAs). If a key cannot be supplied, the club will provide an agreed-upon access plan. 5. Connectivity — Each stadium/club will need to allow the NFL Core racks to connect into the League-contracted internet/MPLS service provided, which is dedicated to internal Football Technology use only. B. SIDELINE VIEWING SYSTEM (SVS) 1. System and Equipment — The League office will oversee the use of a uniform still photo viewing process used by all clubs in all games. The system will consist of the following for each club: • One 19” touch screen video monitor (located in the coaches booth) • Two CPU image processors (located in the coaches booth) • Three printers (located on the field), in which one must act as a spare • 16 Microsoft Surface tablets at field level and 12 Microsoft Surface tablets in the coaches booth with four spares allocated between the field and the booth Fiber lines must be installed between club filming locations (primary end zone and sideline) and coaches booths in order to ensure that all four coaching locations can receive still images for viewing on a tablet or printer (field only). The home club is permitted to permanently install the coaches booth tablet cabling at its stadium. All equipment will be provided and serviced by DVSport and Microsoft. The home club must provide all NFL- issued still photo printing stations and tablets on game day and must also provide the following: • One field printing station and tablets for the home club • One field printing station and tablets for the visiting club • One coaches booth tablet system for the home club • One coaches booth tablet system for the visiting club The home club must provide one new black-ink cartridge for each visiting club printer used on game day. The home club must also provide one spare new black-ink cartridge in each home and visiting case. Color printing is prohibited. Clubs may only use ink cartridges obtained from DVSport. If a cartridge is used that was not obtained from DVSport, the system will become inoperative. Each club is responsible for supplying its own paper. The use of any photo printing equipment beyond the specified printing station allotments is prohibited. 2. Setup and Support — All printing stations and tablets must be in place 2 hours prior to kickoff on game day. The League office will be responsible for providing a four-person Purple Hat crew at each NFL game to set up and break down the equipment on game day. This crew will also be responsible for assisting in the servicing of the system during the game. Home clubs must provide visiting clubs the same situational set up for printers that they have themselves (e.g., cover, placement behind the bench, etc.). The home club must provide a cover for on-field printing stations in inclement weather that allows the visiting club to remain behind the bench area and does not obstruct the televising network or NFL Films from filming into the bench area or obstruct the view of fans. If a temporary FOOTBALL TECHNOLOGY FOOTBALL TECHNOLOGY
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations shelter is provided to the visiting club, it must be equitable to that of the home club’s shelter. Field-level printing stations should be placed against the field wall. If space does not allow the printing station to be placed against the field wall, the printing station can be located in the bench area. Printing stations located in the bench area must fit completely within the broken yellow border of the bench area. Clubs are prohibited from bringing any SVS tablets into the locker room or any other club-controlled area prior to the start of the game. Clubs may, however, bring NFL-issued tablets into the locker room at halftime, and the tablets may be hooked up to a monitor or projector/document camera. No other club-issued tablets or video of any kind may be displayed at halftime. 3. Still Shots — Each club is permitted to create a maximum of eight images per play. Images can be viewed on tablets, paper, or both. Still photos are not required to be printed if a club chooses to view images on tablets only. Each club independently decides how to use its eight images per play. Images can be viewed in single, double, or quad view. Both the bench area and the booth are limited to the use of 26 user profiles. 4. Equity Enforcement for System Failure — If, at any point during a game, there is a total system failure of the feed from the Sideline Viewing System, the Purple Hat technician or a representative from the affected club should notify the NFL Football Operations Representative. The following situations will be considered a total system failure requiring the opposing club to discontinue the corresponding use as set forth below NFL game to set up and break down the equipment on game day. This crew will also be responsible for assisting in the servicing of the system during the game. Home clubs must provide visiting clubs the same situational set up for printers that they have themselves (e.g., cover, placement behind the bench, etc.). The home club must provide a cover for on-field printing stations in inclement weather that allows the visiting club to remain behind the bench area and does not obstruct the televising network or NFL Films from filming into the bench area or obstruct the view of fans. If a temporary shelter is provided to the visiting club, it must be equitable to that of the home club’s shelter. Field-level printing stations should be placed against the field wall. If space does not allow the printing station to be placed against the field wall, the printing station can be located in the bench area. Printing stations located in the bench area must fit completely within the broken yellow border of the bench area. Clubs are prohibited from bringing any SVS tablets into the locker room or any other club-controlled area prior to the start of the game. Clubs may, however, bring NFL-issued tablets into the locker room at halftime, and the tablets may be hooked up to a monitor or projector/document camera. No other club-issued tablets or video of any kind may be displayed at halftime. 3. Still Shots — Each club is permitted to create a maximum of eight images per play. Images can be viewed on tablets, paper, or both. Still photos are not required to be printed if a club chooses to view images on tablets only. Each club independently decides how to use its eight images per play. Images can be viewed in single, double, or quad view. Both the bench area and the booth are limited to the use of 26 user profiles. 4. Equity Enforcement for System Failure — If, at any point during a game, there is a total system failure of the feed from the Sideline Viewing System, the Purple Hat technician or a representative from the affected club should notify the NFL Football Operations Representative. The following situations will be considered a total system failure requiring the opposing club to discontinue the corresponding use as set forth below: Description of System Failure Effect on opposing club when equity rule is invoked Entire still photo system (printers and Relinquish use of all tablets on the sideline tablets) on sideline and in coaches and coaches booth. Relinquish printers on booth is not operational sideline. Printers on the sidelines are not Relinquish use of all printers on sidelines. operational Tablets may be used in all locations. Sideline (SL) angle not available on all SL angle will be removed from tablet and tablets. printer systems. End zone (EZ) angle not available on EZ angle will be removed from tablet and all tablets. printer systems. A malfunction of one or more (but less than all) tablets will not constitute a total system failure, and the opposing club may continue use of all tablets. Upon confirmation of a total system failure, the NFL Football Operations Representative will instruct the opposing club’s coaching staff to relinquish all tablets on the sideline and/or in the coaches booth to the Purple Hat technicians until transmission of images (SL or EZ angle) from the Sideline Viewing System is restored to the affected club. Once service is restored to the affected club, use of all tablets will resume for both clubs. Wireless FOOTBALL TECHNOLOGY A30 A malfunction of one or more (but less than all) tablets will not constitute a total system failure, and the opposing club may continue use of all tablets. Upon confirmation of a total system failure, the NFL Football Operations Representative will instruct the opposing club’s coaching staff to relinquish all tablets on the sideline and/or in the coaches booth to the Purple Hat technicians until transmission of images (SL or EZ angle) from the Sideline Viewing System is restored to the affected club. Once service is restored to the affected club, use of all tablets will resume for both clubs. Wireless connectivity in the bench area does not fall under the equity policy because all devices can be updated through wired syncing if wireless fails. If devices are not functional at kickoff, equity will be enforced relative to the number of operational devices if less than 16 bench devices or 12 booth devices are functional. If some sideline or booth devices are not operational at kickoff, the opposing team is permitted to use as many devices as the affected team has operational. For example, if Team A has seven operational devices in the bench area at kickoff, Team B will be limited to the use of a maximum of seven devices in the bench area. Once Team A confirms that additional devices are operational after the game has started, both teams can increase the number of devices in the bench area until both Team A and B have 16 operational devices in the bench area. C. COACHING STAFF COMMUNICATIONS The Coach-to-Coach (C2C) system allows members of the coaching staff to communicate within the bench area and from the bench area to the coaches booth. The Sideline Technology Cart serves as the networking hub for C2C communications and must be placed within the bench area at the 50-yard line. The cart must not be obstructed by trunks or other equipment. 1. Infrastructure — Home clubs are responsible for the installation and maintenance of the coaches’ communication system (“C2C”). The C2C system infrastructure may not be used by other football entities (i.e., high school or college football games). Home clubs are responsible for maintaining the following fiber paths and equipment, including but not limited to: • 24 single-mode fiber strands from the home coaches booth to the Instant Replay booth • 12 single-mode fiber strands from the home coaches booth to the home sideline
A31 • 24 single-mode fiber strands from the visiting coaches booth to the Instant Replay booth • 12 single-mode fiber strands from the visiting coaches booth to the visiting sideline • 24 single-mode fiber strands from the Instant Replay booth to the outside broadcast compound • 36 single-mode fiber strands from the outside broadcast compound to the Football Technology Core (FTC) cabinet • 12 single-mode fiber strands from the FTC to the home sideline C2C radio (left or right) • 12 single-mode fiber strands from the home sideline C2C left radio to right radio • 12 single-mode fiber strands from the FTC to the visitor sideline C2C radio (left or right) • 12 single-mode fiber strands from the visitor sideline C2C left radio to right radio4 Cat-5e cables from the Instant Replay booth to the Coach-to-Player (C2P) cutoff location in the clock operators’ position. • Terminations of all fiber and Ethernet cables as it pertains to the above. • 4 JMA antennas mounted on the field wall (as close to the 30-yard line as possible). Must be protected from damage during non-NFL events. • 4 JMA cell-hub radios, UPS and network fiber transceiver and 120V-20A power available at each location 2. Bench Area Equipment — Home clubs are responsible for maintaining the network components and C2C wireless components in each Sideline Technology cart: • QTY 2 – Cisco 2960 switches – with 1 fiber SFP • QTY 1 – Emerson Single Phase on-line UPS, 1kVA, 120V • QTY 6 – Green Go battery chargers • QTY 80 – Green Go batteries and 2 Pelican storage cases • QTY 1 – C-Tech Sideline Technology Cart and all peripheral equipment • QTY 20 – 100-foot etherCon cables • QTY 3 – 125-foot OpticalCon cables • QTY 1 – Microsoft Surface Pro 4 tablet, docking station and keyboard • QTY 1 – ThinkCentre M900 10AB Tiny Desktop • QTY 1 – TRU-VuMonitors SRM-24-MV 24” Sunlight Readable LCD Monitor • QTY 2 – AJA optical to HDMI converters • QTY 3 – Green Go cutoff client devices for C2P • QTY 2 – 30-foot etherCon cables • QTY 2 – Repeater cutoff switches • QTY 1 - 20-amp GFEP protected Powercon source for each Sideline Technology Cart • QTY 1 – 20-amp GFEP protected Powercon source for Instant Replay Field Unit 3. Coaches Booths Equipment — Home clubs are responsible for maintaining the proper operation of the wired network equipment in a securable wall cabinet for each coaches booth: • QTY 2 – Cisco 2960 switches – each with 2 fiber SFPs • QTY 1 – Emerson Single Phase on-line UPS, 1kVA, 120V • QTY 1 – Input/Output Panel containing 32 etherCon connectors • QTY 12 – Ethercon cables that reach each coaches’ seating position or stadium installed CAT-6 cables and Ethercon ports at each seating position. 4. Travel Equipment — The visiting club must travel with the following equipment: Booth Case • QTY 20 – Green Go Intercom beltpacks • QTY 48 – 3-foot flat CAT5e jumper cables • QTY 1 – 48 port Cisco Network Switch Field Case • QTY 20 – Green Go Intercom beltpacks FOOTBALL TECHNOLOGY
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations • QTY 4 – Green Go C2P Audio Interface Units • QTY 30 – 4-foot CAT5e jumper cables with Neutrik etherCON connectors Wireless Case • QTY 28 – Green Go Intercom wireless beltpacks • QTY 6 – Green Go 8-port bridges • QTY 6 – USB-C cables 5. Sideline and Coaches Booth Technicians (Yellow Hats) — Home clubs are responsible for providing three technicians approved by the NFL Football Operations and IT departments to set up, test, support, and break down the C2C system on game day. These technicians are required to wear a yellow hat with the NFL shield for quick visual identification. Yellow Hats must be present in the bench area of both clubs and coaches booth area in order to conduct the pregame testing at the specified times below, and then must remain near their respective areas beginning at 1 hour prior to kickoff until the conclusion of the game. The visiting club’s technician will preside over the technician assigned by the home club to the visitor’s bench area. Responsibilities of sideline and coaches booth technicians include, but are not limited to, the following: • Set up the Sideline Technology carts in the bench areas 4 hours prior to kickoff. In the case of inclement weather where the tarps cover the field and bench areas, the wireless C2C system must be tested off the field and prepared for when the tarps are removed. • Conduct and complete testing of the C2C wired equipment in each coaches booth 3 hours prior to kickoff. • Conduct final testing of the entire C2C system 2 hours prior to kickoff. In the event there are issues with the C2C communications system, the club must report that to NFL Football Operations (212.450.2087) as early as possible and continue to provide frequent updates until the issue is resolved. • Technicians are required to maintain constant communication for coaches at all times. • Technicians must not have additional duties/responsibilities during game day other than the C2C communication system. • Technicians are required to submit a game day report following the game. 6. Beltpacks — Clubs are permitted to use 20 C2C beltpacks in the bench area in any combination of wired or wireless. All coaches booth beltpacks are wired. C2C beltpacks may only be used in the bench area and the coaches booth. Players are permitted to utilize a beltpack for the purpose of communicating with the coaching staff. This would count against the 20 beltpacks available for use in the bench area. Each team is permitted to designate a single sideline technician as a wired or wireless user to support the operation of the system. This user does not fall under the allotment of beltpacks for the coaching staff. This user is prohibited from communicating any competitive or strategic information. 7. Headsets — Each club is responsible for providing headsets for its coaching staff in the bench area and in the coaches booth on game day. The home club is no longer responsible for providing ten headsets for the visiting coaches booth. Clubs are prohibited from creating double headsets by combining two single headsets, allowing for two beltpacks to be used simultaneously. Clubs may not alter existing headsets or request custom headsets for this purpose. Coaches are permitted to wear two standard single headsets at the same time in order to have input from two beltpacks, provided they do not alter the headsets in any way. Each club is also permitted to use one listen-only headset, without a boom mic, in the coaches booth for the purpose of charting play calls on still photos. These still photo listen-only headsets without microphones can only be used by still photo operators for this purpose. Coaches and other team personnel are not permitted to use listen-only headsets without microphones. Each club is responsible for providing its own still photo headsets for all games, both home and away. The use of a wired or wireless beltpack in the bench area with these still photo headsets will count against a club’s allotment of bench area beltpacks. A club may place a label on the headset; however, that label must be placed in a position that is not visible when the headset is worn. Clubs are required to notify NFL Football Operations of any malfunctioning coaches headsets prior to shipping. Malfunctioning equipment will be repaired or replaced, if necessary. A32 FOOTBALL TECHNOLOGY
A33 8. C2C Headset Configuration — Home and visiting clubs are required to provide their own C2C beltpacks and Coach-to-Player (“C2P”) audio interface devices for each game. Clubs are responsible for building their intercom configuration as per the requirements of their coaching staff and fully testing the configuration prior to game day. Clubs are required to encrypt all of the C2C units so as to prevent any possible manipulation or eavesdropping of their communication. Any communication issues caused by a club’s failure to configure the devices prior to game day would not be considered a total communication system failure. 9. Equity Enforcement for System Failure — If a club experiences a total communication system failure of the C2C system, the technician or a representative from the affected club should immediately notify the NFL Football Operations Representative or Game Day Operations Center (212.450.2087). A total communication system failure is defined as both the wireless and wired communication systems being inoperable between the coaches booth and the bench area. Upon confirmation of a total communication system failure, the NFL Football Operations Representative will instruct the opposing club’s coaching staff to relinquish all beltpacks and headsets on the field and in the coaches booth to the technicians until communication is restored to the affected club. The inability of one or more, but less than all, coaches to communicate via the C2C system between the field and the booth will not constitute a total communication system failure, and the opposing club may continue to use their C2C system. If the C2C system is not operational, either due to a system malfunction or an equity enforcement, a coach may use a C2P transmit radio (red band labeled “C2P Coach”) to make play calls only if the C2P technician can first ensure proper cutoff operation of the play calls. 10 . Support and Service —The League has contracted with Bexel to provide an on-site technician at every NFL game. This technician, known as the Football Technology Rep (FTR), will be stationed behind the visiting sideline during the game and will be responsible for the proper operation of all sideline technology. FTRs are required to wear a gray hat with the NFL shield for quick visual identification. Clubs are required to notify the FTR of any malfunctioning C2C equipment immediately. The FTR will be responsible for either resolving the issue locally or replacing the equipment prior to the next home game. Green Go device service and replacement is provided by Novalume. D. COACH-TO-PLAYER SYSTEM (C2P) The Coach-to-Player (C2P) system allows a member of the coaching staff (e.g., head coach, offensive or defensive coordinator, etc.) to communicate from the bench area or coaches booth to one of the offensive and defensive players designated to have the C2P components in their helmet on game day. Each coaching staff is limited to one offensive and one defensive play caller at any given time. 1. Helmet Models — Only certain helmet models are certified to meet the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) helmet testing standards with the C2P components installed. Equipment managers may reach out to the NFL Football Operations department for installation instructions. Installing the C2P components in a non-certified helmet model is prohibited. 2. Radio Frequencies — The League has assigned each NFL stadium four sets of frequencies (Frequency Set 1 (“FS1”) and Frequency Set 2 (“FS2”) for each sideline. Clubs are prohibited from using both frequency sets at the same time. The home club’s sideline technicians are required to work with the League’s C2P consultants, Gubser & Schnakenberg, LLC (GSC), and the local League-appointed Event Frequency Coordinators (EFC) to resolve any radio frequency interference (RFI) issues with the C2P system. If, during the game, a club’s frequency set is experiencing RFI issues, the affected club may switch to its alternate frequency set under the direction of the C2P technician. Clubs must notify NFL IT and NFL Football Operations if they switch frequencies prior to or during the game. 3. Cutoff Devices — There are three types of devices available in the cutoff process – the global cutoff switch, repeater cutoff device, and local cutoff switch. The home club is responsible for storing and connecting the C2P cutoff devices for each game. These devices and connections will also be inspected and tested by the NFL Football Technology Rep, C2P technicians, and C2P cutoff operator. a. Global Cutoff Switch — The primary method of engaging cutoff is through the global cutoff switch utilized by the C2P Cutoff Operator, located in the press box. Two cutoff switches are provided for redundancy purposes. A third global cutoff switch must be stored in the Sideline Technology Cart and be available in the event that the first two malfunction or connectivity to the working location fails. This cutoff switch will terminate both the home and visiting club’s communication at the same time. Releasing the cutoff will enable communication for both clubs at the same time. Operation of the global cutoff switch is the same whether operated from the press box location or directly connected to the sideline technology cart. All global cutoff devices and working locations must be tested during the pregame period. The cutoff switch located on the field should remain disconnected when the cutoffs in the press box are in operation. FOOTBALL TECHNOLOGY
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations b. Local Cutoff Switch — One switch must be stored in the drawer of the Sideline Communications Center on each sideline, and an additional spare switch must be stored in the home Sideline Communications Center. This switch is used and operated by the C2P technician in the event of a total system failure of C2C, and the C2P Cutoff Operator is unable to cut off the repeater from his location in the press box. In the event the RCOs are non-operational, the C2P technician will operate a local cutoff switch per C2P cutoff rules. c. Repeater Cutoff (RCO) Devices — An RCO device must be installed and tested during the pregame period. The RCO should be operated next to the C2P repeaters in the Sideline Communications Center to allow cut off of the C2P system in the event a coach is required to use the designated red handheld radio to make play calls. This device must be fully cabled at all times on each sideline to properly cut off the repeater but should not be used without approval from NFL Football Operations. Each sideline has a second RCO that is a cold spare in the event the first one is defective. 4. C2P Cutoff Operator — C2P communication is encrypted. The communication will be cut off by the League- appointed C2P Cutoff Operator via the cutoff switch device when the play clock reaches 15 seconds or when the ball is snapped, whichever occurs first. Communication will resume once a Game Official has signaled that a play is dead or upon the Cutoff Operator’s positive knowledge that the play is over. The League requires the C2P Cutoff Operator to be positioned with the Game and Play Clock Operators. Home clubs are required to notify the NFL Football Operations department if the C2P Cutoff Operator’s position is relocated or renovated. 5. C2P Technicians — The local League-appointed C2P technicians will be provided to manage and report on the stadium’s C2P system. These technicians are required to wear an orange hat with the NFL shield for quick visual identification. C2P technicians’ responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: • Complete the C2P portion of the “Game Readiness Checklist” in real-time. • Test and distribute C2P equipment from the secured Sideline Communication cart to each club’s equipment manager 3 and a half hours prior to kickoff. When inclement weather prohibits the placement of the Sideline Communication carts on the field 3 and a half hours prior to kickoff, the C2P technician may distribute the C2P equipment to each club’s equipment manager. • Conduct final C2P system testing with each club’s equipment manager 2 hours prior to kickoff. • Must be present in the bench area of each club 1 hour prior to kickoff and remain throughout the game. • Ensure throughout the game that the cutoff device is functioning properly. • Secure all transmit radios (red “C2P Coach” and orange “C2P Tech”) so that no club personnel has access to them. • n the event of a C2C system failure, ensure the play call radios can be cut off before providing a transmit radio I (C2P Coach) to a member of the team for making play calls. This may include operating the cutoff switch on the field. • Submit a game day report following the game. 6. C2P Transmitting Radios — If the C2C system is not operational, either due to a system malfunction or an equity enforcement, the play caller may use a C2P transmit radio (red band labeled “C2P Coach”) and select either “OFF” or “DEF” from the channel selection to make play calls only if the C2P technician can first ensure proper cutoff operation of the play calls. The backup C2P transmitting radios labeled “C2P Coach” are under the supervision of the C2P technician. The technician is responsible for safeguarding and distributing the radios. Typically, the radios are kept in the drawer of the Sideline Communications Center. Use of this radio by anyone other than the offensive or defensive play caller will be considered an integrity of the game violation. The C2P technician is provided a radio that can transmit without being cut off. This radio has an orange sleeve and orange antenna labeled “C2P Tech.” This radio must be in the possession of the C2P technician at all times. Use of this radio by anyone other than the C2P technician will be considered an integrity of the game violation. 7. Cabling and AC Power Requirements — Home clubs are responsible for installing and maintaining the following C2P communication infrastructure for game day use: • QTY 1 – 120V 15A w/ISO ground circuit at the Home Sideline position within close proximity to the 50-yardline dedicated for C2P system. • QTY 1 – 120V 15A w/ISO ground circuit at the Visitor Sideline position within close proximity to the 50-yardline dedicated for C2P system. 8. C2P Designees — Players who have C2P components in their helmets must be listed by name, jersey number, and position in the Coach-to-Player Communication section of the Game Day Administration Report, which is submitted through the Game Management System (GMS) 90 minutes prior to kickoff. Only the players A34 FOOTBALL TECHNOLOGY
A35 submitted as C2P designees on the Game Day Administration Report may wear the C2P components in their helmets. No changes will be permitted after the submission of this report. If your club experiences technical difficulties while attempting to submit the electronic Game Day Administration Report, immediately notify the on-site NFL Football Operations Representative or the Game Day Operations Center. Paper copies of the Game Day Administration Report will not be accepted unless approved by the NFL Football Operations department. Any player with C2P components must have a green decal displayed on the midline of the rear of his helmet. A team is prohibited from having two or more players on the field at the same time wearing helmets that contain C2P components (module, speakers, and/or battery), even if only one of the helmets is “live” and able to receive communication. This applies in the preseason, regular season, and postseason. Preseason — During the preseason, five offensive players and five defensive players can be designated to have the C2P components in their helmets for each club. Regular Season and Postseason — Each club is permitted to designate three offensive players and three defensive (primary and backup) players who are members of the game day Active List to have the C2P components in their helmets on game day. Offense — The offensive players must either be bona fide quarterbacks or players who are used as backup quarterbacks even though their principal positions are as non-quarterbacks. If a designated offensive player is a player whose principal position is as a non-quarterback (e.g., wide receiver, running back), his backup helmet with the C2P components may not be used until he enters the game as a quarterback. However, bona fide quarterbacks may be in possession of their helmet with C2P components while on the sideline. Defense — If the defensive primary player leaves the game due to substitution, injury, or disqualification, one of the defensive backup designees may receive his backup helmet with the C2P components upon entering the game as the C2P designee. Clubs are required to ensure that a defensive backup player does not use his helmet with the C2P components until he enters the game as the C2P designee. If the defensive primary player returns to the game, the defensive backup player must return his backup helmet with the C2P components to a member of the equipment staff and obtain his helmet without the C2P components. The defensive backup players are prohibited from wearing or having their helmets with the C2P components unless the defensive primary player can no longer participate in the game or the primary player is not in possession of his helmet with the C2P components, in which case only one defensive backup player may receive his helmet with the C2P components. If the defensive primary and backup players leave the game due to injury or disqualification, no other player may wear the C2P components in his helmet. Clubs must use other methods to communicate signals to the defensive players. Special Teams — A club may send one of the C2P designees onto the field to participate in special teams plays. 9. C2P Listen-Only Radios — Each club will have an allotment of five listen-only radios (blue “C2P Listen”) and earpieces that may be used by the club’s equipment staff, Yellow Hat, and players. Coaches are not permitted to use a listen-only radio. Users of listen-only radios (including players) do not need to be listed on the Game Day Administration Report. 10. C2P Helmet Speakers — There are two speaker module size options. Clubs may use either speaker module at their discretion. 11. Equity Enforcement for System Failure — If there is a total system failure of a club’s C2P system, the affected club must notify the NFL Football Operations Representative. A total system failure will be defined as the complete inability to communicate from the sideline to the designated player on the field through FS1 or FS2 in Simplex and Duplex mode. A disruption that results in the temporary inability to communicate play calls will not be considered a total system failure but will be continually monitored by the C2P technician. Upon confirmation of a total system failure, the NFL Football Operations Representative will instruct the opposing club’s equipment manager to hand over the C2P components to the local League-appointed C2P technician until the C2P system is restored to the affected club. Once the affected C2P system is fully functional, both clubs will be permitted to use the C2P system. If the C2C system is not operational, either due to a system malfunction or an equity enforcement, clubs are permitted to use a handheld transmit radio provided by the League-appointed C2P technician only after the technician has ensured the C2P cutoff is operating properly. FOOTBALL TECHNOLOGY
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations E. INJURY VIDEO REVIEW SYSTEM (IVRS) An Injury Video Review System will be used in all games. This system consists of two monitors and two recording devices that utilizes Sony Hawk-Eye multicamera system in the press box level or similar area of the stadium. This system will also include a field monitor in or around each bench area where club medical personnel can review game video in order to address a potential player injury. The system will support the viewing of two different video replays to both sidelines simultaneously. This Injury Video Review System is intended to gain medical information in real time and is not intended for competitive purposes. Any misuse of this system will be considered an integrity of the game violation. The Injury Video Review System will require the following specifications at all NFL stadiums: • A private and fully enclosed booth for the ATC Spotters, IVR booth operators, and the Booth UNC; no other personnel may be operating out of this booth. Because this system deals with sensitive player medical information, this location must be in a place where the IVRS monitor cannot be seen by other people and the ATC Spotters’ conversations cannot be overheard. All Injury Video Review System locations must be approved by NFL Football Operations. • The Instant Replay technician and Hawk-Eye technician will be responsible for ensuring that the system is set up and functional on game day. • 11 headsets must be provided by the League office to be used for the Injury Video Review System. Two headsets will be used by the ATC Spotters, two for the IVR booth operators, one headset will be used by the Booth UNC, and three headsets will be used at each bench area IVRS monitor. • A phone with the capability to place and receive long distance calls to and from outside of the stadium, as well as direct-dial ring downs to each bench area’s field communication cart, and a ring down to the NFL Football Operations Representative location. • Power and counter space for the operation of the Injury Video Review System. • An unobstructed view of the entire field, including the bench areas, for the ATC Spotters. F. FREQUENCY COORDINATION The League has appointed Event Frequency Coordinators (EFCs) to each club to coordinate the frequencies of all wireless transmitting devices used on stadium property. Each club is required to provide two seats with an unobstructed view of the playing field, internet connection, a telephone (access to local and long-distance service), and countertop space to accommodate equipment consisting of, but not limited to, a laptop and a spectrum analyzer. All coordination requests must be made using the Event Frequency Coordination System at https://EFC.NFL.NET . The League requires each club to assign a member from its Public Relations staff to serve as the Wireless Coordination Contact. This individual will direct all personnel using wireless devices (credentialed media operators, game day entertainment, club video departments, etc.) to pre-coordinate their devices no later than five days prior to game day. Frequency coordination may be requested after this deadline but will receive reduced priority. Frequency coordination is performed by the EFC at least 72 hours prior to the game. These wireless devices consist of, but are not limited to, wireless microphones, microwave transmission, Interruptible Feedback (IFB), and two-way radios on stadium property. Cell phones and tablets do not require pre-coordination. Any of the above-mentioned wireless devices used at every home game by club and stadium personnel must be coordinated prior to the start of the preseason. Operation of wireless transmitting devices on game day without prior coordination is not permitted. If an uncoordinated device is being used, the local EFC will determine if a frequency can be assigned to the operator’s device. If not, the operator will be instructed to use a hard wire (if applicable). Failure to follow the NFL radio frequency coordination process will result in the removal of the equipment from the event and any other sanctions needed to protect authorized and coordinated wireless operations. Radio Frequency Interference — Clubs are required to protect the wireless frequencies used by the C2C wireless devices by not allowing 3,650MHz–3,700MHz CBRS installations in the stadium in conjunction with the League’s Event Frequency Coordination program. Use of these frequencies will be subject to conditional coordination by NFL IT, including testing with the NFL C2C system at least 3 hours prior to the scheduled start time of the game. If there are any conflicts with the on-field communications system, the Club is responsible for coordinating the shut down of the CBRS system. A36 FOOTBALL TECHNOLOGY
A37 If your stadium has or plans to install CBRS equipment, please notify NFL IT as soon as possible by contacting [email protected] . NFL stadiums with CBRS installations must be fully tested and certified by NFL IT following the installation. G. EQUIPMENT TRACKING PROGRAM (ZEBRA VIRTUAL LOCKER) Each home and visitor locker room is equipped with a fixed/permanent RFID portal for player equipment tracking. The fixed RFID portal location varies by stadium but is typically located at an ingress/egress point between the locker room doors and the entrance to the playing field. The stadium typically has one home locker room portal and one visitor locker room portal, but depending on the number of pathways to the field, a club or stadium may install additional portals to track the equipment from the locker room to the field and from the field to the locker room at their expense. A RFID fixed portal consists of one RFID Reader, antennas (options include Overhead, Ground Mounted, Wall, and Floor Mat antennas) and ethernet cabling (Cat6) to a club or stadium network switch located within 300 feet of the portal. The program is supported by each club’s equipment staff whereas the equipment manager serves as the point of contact. Club and stadium IT employees are involved in the initial network configuration as the RFID Portal requires Power over Ethernet (PoE) and an outbound internet connection. H. ALL-29 CAMERA The League will designate the use of a full-field All-29 camera to be located in the vicinity of the club sideline filming location at all games. The full-field camera angle will be utilized by the NFL Officiating department and Injury Video Review, and will not be incorporated into the broadcast, nor used during replay reviews. Clubs are not permitted to utilize video footage from the All-29 camera, nor may they request it. This camera is permanently mounted and will be placed in a “parked” position following each game. A club may, at its discretion, place a League-provided hood on the camera for privacy between games, as long as the hood is removed at least 4 hours prior to kickoff. FOOTBALL TECHNOLOGY
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations A38
A39 A. FOOTBALLS Under the League’s contract with Wilson Sporting Goods Company, each club will receive 780 free official game footballs per season (500 of which include tracking devices), plus 300 autograph balls. All game balls, including kicking balls, must include tracking devices designed and manufactured by League partners Wilson and Zebra Technologies. These sensors will be used to collect data regarding the positioning and movement of the football while it is on the field. Footballs with sensors that do not activate or indicate low battery will be removed from rotation. If, at any point during the game, the Referee determines that some game footballs are in unsatisfactory condition (e.g., due to inclement weather, physical damage, etc.), he can direct that the pre-approved backup footballs be brought into the game. This applies to both team-supplied game footballs and kicking footballs. Once the footballs have left the locker room, no one, including players, equipment managers, ball crew members, or coaches, may alter the footballs in any way. Footballs may never be placed on or inside heated benches or in front of heaters. If any individual alters the footballs, or if a non-approved football is used in the game, clubs and/or responsible individuals may be subject to discipline. 1. Game Footballs — Prior to each game, a team’s equipment manager will prepare 24 footballs to be used for non-kicking downs. Wilson Sporting Goods will provide appropriate directions and supplies to equipment managers for preparing the footballs. The footballs will have the prior approval of the team’s quarterback, who may practice with them mid-week as long as they meet the standard of a new ball when presented to the Referee for approval on game day. No player or any other person is permitted to alter the fundamental structure or surface characteristics of the footballs to be used in a game. Activities such as defacing or reshaping footballs are strictly prohibited. 2 hours and 15 minutes prior to kickoff, both teams will be required to bring 24 footballs that have been activated by Zebra Technologies (12 primary and 12 backup) to the Officials’ locker room for inspection. No more than 24 footballs may be activated for each club. Two Game Officials, designated by the Referee, will conduct the inspection and record the PSI measurement of each football. The NFL Football Operations Representative or Security Representative may observe the inspection process. Primary game balls for each team will be pre-numbered 001-500. Clubs are not required to submit game footballs in sequential order. Any game ball within the allowable range of 12.5 PSI to 13.5 PSI will be approved, and the PSI level will not be altered. Any game ball that is determined to be over 13.5 PSI or under 12.5 PSI will either be deflated or inflated to 13.0 PSI. The same procedure will be followed with respect to the backup set of game balls for each team, which will be pre-numbered by Wilson and recorded as backups. Game balls approved for a previous game can be submitted, provided they meet the standards of a new ball. All game ball information will be recorded on the Referee’s Report, which will be submitted to the League office. Once the game balls are approved by the Referee, the Game Officials will take custody of and remain responsible for the security of the game balls, backup balls, and K-Balls for each club. They will remain in the custody of the Game Officials until 10 minutes prior to kickoff. At that point, the Game Officials, accompanied by the League’s Security Representative, will bring the footballs to the on-field replay station. Upon arrival, the game balls will be distributed to each club’s ball crew in the presence of the Security Rep. The backup balls will remain in the Officials’ locker room and will be secured to the satisfaction of the Referee prior to leaving for the playing field. Clubs may not pre-elect to use their backup footballs in the second half; however, if inclement weather is expected or already occurring, clubs may notify the Referee during the pregame period that they may request the use of their backup footballs if the primary footballs are impacted by the precipitation. The use of the backup footballs is at the discretion of the Referee. All Haltec machines will be certified prior to each season by Wilson Sporting Goods. Each Referee will be provided with a primary and backup machine by the NFL Security Representative. The same machine will be used for pregame, halftime, and postgame testing. In the event the primary machine becomes inoperative, the backup machine will be used for any remaining inspections, and the use of the backup machine will be noted on the Referee’s report. At randomly-selected games, the game balls used in the first half will be collected at halftime, and the NFL Security Representative will escort the Game Officials with the footballs to the Officials’ locker room. During halftime, each game ball for both teams will be inspected in the locker room by designated members of the officiating and security crews, and the PSI levels will be measured and recorded. Once measured, those game balls will then be secured and removed from play. For these randomly-selected games only, the backup footballs will be used for each team during the second half. Approximately 3 minutes prior to the second half kickoff, Game Officials, accompanied by the NFL Security Representative, will bring the backup set of game balls to GAME AND FIELD EQUIPMENT GAME AND FIELD EQUIPMENT
2022 Policy Manual for Member Clubs - Game Operations the on-field replay station to be distributed to each Club’s ball crew. Designated Game Officials will alert each team to the use of the backup balls prior to the start of the second half. At the end of any randomly-selected game, each team’s footballs will be returned to the Officials’ locker room where they will be inspected, and the PSI levels will be recorded. 2. Kicking Footballs — Wilson Sporting Goods will deliver six kicking footballs (K-Balls) directly to the officiating crew for all games. The K-Balls will be thoroughly prepared and conditioned by Wilson before leaving the factory. The officiating crew will bring these footballs to the stadium. These footballs are identical to the game footballs used on non-kicking downs, with the exception that they have not been previously prepared by either club’s equipment manager. These footballs will be used exclusively for kickoffs, safety kicks, punts, field goal attempts, and extra-point kicks during the game. Each club will be sent 12 additional K-Balls to keep at the stadium should a shipping problem occur with the K-Balls being delivered to the Game Officials. Following the game, clubs may retain possession of their assigned K-Balls but are prohibited from using them in future games. At 2 hours and 45 minutes prior to kickoff, each club representative should arrive at the Officials’ locker room to pick up their respective K-Balls to be prepared in their respective locker rooms. The K-Balls will be branded with a special “K” along with the designated week number. Club representatives and Game Officials will agree on a return time of the K-Balls (60 minutes from the agreed upon start of the process) for inspection. A club’s failure to deliver the K-Balls back to the Officials’ locker room after 60 minutes, and/or a club’s failure to comply with the Kicking Ball Preparation Guidelines below, will be considered violations of League policy and will subject the club and/or individuals to League discipline. Clubs that violate this policy will be required to use the backup supply of K-Balls provided to each stadium and will not have the opportunity for additional time to prepare the new K-Balls. Preparation of K-Balls should be completed at least 90 minutes prior to kickoff. Each club will be responsible for preparing their own K-Balls. The home club will always be the odd numbers (1, 3, 5), and the visiting club will always be the even numbers (2, 4, 6). The following actions are permissible in pregame preparation: • Applying a wet towel to the football. • Brushing the football by hand with a new Wilson-branded ball brush, or a team-supplied Wilson-branded ball brush, that has not been altered in any way. • Using the side of the brush to soften the leather and remove slickness. • Using the back of the brush to warm the leather and polish. The following actions are prohibited in pregame preparation: • Subjecting the football to high heat (heaters, blow dryers, dryers, etc.). • Submersing the football in water. • Altering the surface of the football (including, but not limited to, use of a buffing machine, attaching a Wilson- branded ball brush to a machine, non-Wilson branded brushes, wire brushes, or other similar tools). • Altering the shape of the football (including, but not limited to, kneeling or standing on, bouncing, throwing, using a hard surface, or otherwise exerting excess pressure). • nflating or deflating the football at any point during the process. I Each club must identify one person to handle the on-field K-Ball responsibilities, and they are required to wear the “K” vest throughout the game. A member of each club’s ball crew should begin the game with two K-Balls in their possession, and the other K-Ball should remain at the on-field replay station until needed. The ball crews will be responsible for handing the K-Balls to the Game Officials when needed and will use best efforts to put a ball into play that was prepared by the kicking team. At the conclusion of the first half, K-Balls must be returned to the on-field replay station, where they will be carried to the Game Officials’ locker room, accompanied by NFL Security. A Game Official will confirm that all six K-Balls have been returned to the locker room. If fewer than six K-Balls are returned at halftime, only those K-Balls that have been returned will be permitted for use during the second half. Game Officials must ensure that K-Balls not returned at halftime are not permitted for use for the remainder of the game. If there is an end-of-half scenario requiring a K-Ball, ball crew members are required to immediately retrieve the K-Ball after the possession has ended and return the K-Ball to the nearest Game Official, or if the crew has left the field, then immediately return the kicking ball to the Game Officials’ locker room. K-Balls will be brought out 3 minutes prior to the start of the second half. GAME AND FIELD EQUIPMENT A40