NFL clubs receive update on preparations for 2020 season
NFL clubs met Friday via videoconference and received an update on preparations for the 2020 season.
"We will continue to implement the health and safety protocols developed jointly with the NFLPA, and based on the advice of leading medical experts, including review by the CDC," the league said in a statement. "We will address additional issues in a cooperative way. All decisions will be made in an effort to put us in position to play a full regular season and postseason culminating with the Super Bowl which is the shared goal of the clubs and the players."
The first group of Giants players — which includes rookies, quarterbacks and injured players — is scheduled to report on July 23. The rest of the team is set to report on July 28.
2020 NFL roster of officials confirmed; group includes three former NFL players and six first-year officials
The NFL roster of game officials for the 2020 season will include six individuals in their first NFL season and one new referee, the league announced Friday.
Launching their NFL officiating careers in 2020 are side judge Tra Blake (ACC), field judge Joe Blubaugh (Big 12), line judge Mike Dolce (Big Ten), down judge Frank Leblanc (Big 12), side judge Clay Reynard (Pac-12) and umpire Tab Slaughter (Big 12). The six are graduates of the NFL Officiating Department's Officiating Development Program, which trains top college football officials in all aspects of NFL officiating.
Land Clark has been promoted to referee for the upcoming season, following two seasons as a field judge. He was a referee in the Pac-12 Conference prior to entering the NFL and has been part of the NFL's Referee Training Program since his first season in the league.
The 2020 roster of officials includes three former NFL players – back judge Steve Freeman, field judge Nate Jones and umpire Terry Killens.
Freeman, entering his 20th season as an NFL official, was a defensive back for 13 seasons, 12 with Buffalo and one with Minnesota.
Jones joined the NFL officiating staff in 2019 from the Pac-12, following an eight-year career as a defensive back with Dallas, Miami, Denver and New England.
Killens, who also joined the NFL officiating ranks last season from the American Athletic Conference, was a linebacker during his seven NFL seasons, entering the league as a member of the Houston Oilers before the franchise became the Tennessee Titans. He also played for San Francisco and Seattle before beginning his officiating career.
Freeman and his son, back judge Brad Freeman, represent the lone set of father-son officials active in the NFL. Referees Shawn Hochuli and Alex Kemp, as well as line judges Walt Coleman IV and Jeff Seeman, are the sons of former NFL referees. Additionally, three sets of brothers – Allen and Rusty Baynes, Jeff and Jerry Bergman, and Carl, Dino and Perry Paganelli – appear on the 2020 roster.
Line judge Jeff Bergman, entering his 29th NFL season, remains the longest-serving official.
The Giants' COVID-19 Task Force has been working hard to make the Quest Diagnostics Training Center as safe as possible. Many important changes have been made for the safety of Giants employees in accordance with guidelines from the CDC, NFL, National Institute of Health, and the State of New Jersey.
Most important is the requirement for employees who are returning to the facility to take their temperature before leaving home, and staying home if their temperature is over 100.4 F. Employees will then have their temperature taken at the facility.
Before employees enter they will be required to complete a daily form to confirm that they are healthy and able to return to the building. After parking, they will walk through the lot with a face covering on and proceed directly to the main entrance.
There will be only one entrance to the building.
There will be signs and floor markings to direct where to stand before entering.
From the time they enter the parking lot to walking into the building, employees must remain six feet apart from others. There are markings on the ground.
From the time they enter the parking lot to walking into the building, employees must remain six feet apart from others.
From the time they enter the parking lot to walking into the building, employees must remain six feet apart from others.
From the time they enter the parking lot to walking into the building, employees must remain six feet apart from others.
From the time they enter the parking lot to walking into the building, employees must remain six feet apart from others.
From the time they enter the parking lot to walking into the building, employees must remain six feet apart from others.
Using hand sanitizer is required before entering the building. The Giants will provide all the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep employees safe as social distancing remains in place. Sanitizing stations are located throughout the facility.
Using hand sanitizer is required before entering the building. The Giants will provide all the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep employees safe as social distancing remains in place.
Per the NFL's Phase One Guidelines, the Giants have assembled an Infection Response Team (IRT) and a team of Infection Control Officers (ICOs) to protect Giants employees. Employees will receive a card with the names and phone numbers of ICOs before or when they return to work at the facility.
There are educational signs throughout the building. The most important one is "if you're feeling sick, stay home."
There are educational signs throughout the building.
There are educational signs throughout the building.
There are educational signs throughout the building.
There are educational signs throughout the building.
There are educational signs throughout the building.
There are educational signs throughout the building.
Arrows will direct people throughout the building to maintain a circular pattern and help keep people six feet apart. The goal is to limit the number of times employees pass each other in the hallway.
Arrows will direct people throughout the building to maintain a circular pattern and help keep people six feet apart.
Arrows will direct people throughout the building to maintain a circular pattern and help keep people six feet apart.
Arrows will direct people throughout the building to maintain a circular pattern and help keep people six feet apart.
Arrows will direct people throughout the building to maintain a circular pattern and help keep people six feet apart.
Arrows will direct people throughout the building to maintain a circular pattern and help keep people six feet apart.
The cafeteria, locker room, and weight room will be closed. Break rooms and copier rooms will be limited to one person at a time and must be wiped down with disinfectant prior to leaving each time.
The cafeteria, locker room, and weight room will be closed. Break rooms and copier rooms will be limited to one person at a time and must be wiped down with disinfectant prior to leaving each time.
The cafeteria, locker room, and weight room will be closed. Break rooms and copier rooms will be limited to one person at a time and must be wiped down with disinfectant prior to leaving each time.
Arrows will direct people throughout the building to maintain a circular pattern and help keep people six feet apart. The goal is to limit the number of times employees pass each other in the hallway.
Arrows will direct people throughout the building to maintain a circular pattern and help keep people six feet apart. The goal is to limit the number of times employees pass each other in the hallway.
Giants App
Download the Giants' official app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
