Seven NFL officials opt out of 2020 season due to coronavirus concerns

Seven officials have opted out of the 2020 NFL season due to concerns over coronavirus, the NFL announced on Friday.

The news comes as the NFL season is set to kick off in less than one month when the Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs host the Houston Texans in a playoff rematch on Sept. 10.

The five on-field officials include line judge Jeff Bergman, back judge Steve Freeman, field judge Greg Gautreaux, field judge Joe Larrew and back judge Tony Steratore. The two other officials were not named in the press release from the league.

According to an agreement between the league and the NFL Referees Association, the officials who opted out of this season were guaranteed their jobs in 2021 while being compensated $30,000.

The NFL also says officiating crews will be assigned based on geography to avoid unnecessary travel throughout the pandemic, with the league adding that crews will not officiate a game involving the same team more than twice in a season.

Several teams have announced they will not have fans in the stands to start the season, including the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets and the Washington Football Team. All other clubs will allow fans but on a limited basis based on social distancing guidelines.