Ankle Monitors: Nfl's Secret Weapon Or Necessary Evil?

If you've been watching NFL games recently, you may have noticed a blinking red light on some of the players. These lights are part of a Kinexon SafeZone contact tracing device, worn by players to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. The flashing red light illuminates when the wearer is within six feet of another person wearing the device, promoting social distancing. While the devices are usually kept in pockets sewn into jerseys or in pads, some players have been seen wearing them as ankle monitors.

Are NFL players on house arrest?

While there have been several cases of NFL players being arrested, there is no indication that any of them have been placed on house arrest. In 2022, at least 15 former and current NFL players were arrested on various charges. Some of the notable names include Damon Arnette, Bud Dupree, Willie Gay, Jerry Jeudy, and Alvin Kamara.

Recently, there has been speculation about NFL players wearing ankle monitors and whether this indicates that they are on house arrest. However, these monitors are simply Kinexon devices used for contact tracing as part of the NFL's COVID-19 mitigation measures. The flashing red light on the device indicates when it is within six feet of another person wearing it, promoting social distancing among players when they are off the field. While some players do wear these devices on their ankles, others choose to keep them in their pockets or pads.

What are the blinking red lights on players' ankles?

If you've been watching NFL games recently, you may have noticed blinking red lights on players' ankles. These devices are not related to criminal activity or house arrest, as some fans have speculated. In fact, these monitors are Kinexon devices worn by players for contact tracing purposes, implemented as part of the NFL's COVID-19 mitigation measures.

The flashing red light on the Kinexon monitor is programmed to activate when the device comes within six feet of another person wearing one, promoting social distancing among players when they are off the field. While social distancing is not feasible during games, these devices help players maintain distance when they are not actively playing.

The Kinexon SafeZone devices are not unique to the NFL, as other professional sports leagues, such as the NBA and Major League Baseball, have also adopted similar technology for contact tracing among their athletes.

While some players choose to wear these devices on their ankles, others prefer to keep them hidden in pockets sewn into their jerseys or within their pads. The devices can also be worn as wristbands or embedded in equipment.

It's important to note that these monitors are not mandatory and players have the liberty to decide where they want to wear them, or if they want to wear them at all. This flexibility may explain why some players are seen wearing them while others are not.

Do players wear ankle monitors for COVID contact tracing?

NFL players have been spotted wearing ankle monitors, which caused hysteria among fans who wondered if players were on work release or house arrest. However, these devices are simply for COVID-19 contact tracing and were introduced as part of the NFL's measures to mitigate the impact of the virus on the season.

The Kinexon SafeZone devices, which were also used by the NBA and Major League Baseball, feature a flashing red light that illuminates when the wearer is within six feet of another person wearing the device. This is to help promote social distancing among players when they are off the field.

While the devices are usually kept in pockets sewn into jerseys or in pads, some players have chosen to wear them on their ankles. The NFL mandates that players must wear the devices, but they can choose where to keep them.

The use of contact tracing devices has also been implemented in high schools for student-athletes. Eatonville High School in Washington required its student-athletes to wear TraceTag ankle monitors made by Triax. The devices feature visual and audio sensors that alert students when they are too close to each other and also collect contact-tracing data. This data is used to identify which students have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

The implementation of these devices in high schools has sparked controversy, with some parents expressing concern and feeling that they were not properly informed about the program. In response, the school district at Eatonville High School decided to shelve the devices until proper procedures, including community input and board approval, could be established.

Why are some players wearing ankle monitors and not others?

In 2024, some NFL players were spotted wearing ankle monitors with blinking red lights. This caused hysteria among fans, who wondered if the players were on work release or house arrest. However, the monitors are Kinexon SafeZone devices, used for contact tracing to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. The flashing red light illuminates when the wearer is within six feet of another person with the device, promoting social distancing off the field.

While the devices were introduced in the previous season, players had been hiding them in pockets sewn into their jerseys or in their pads. Chargers' running back Joshua Kelley, who wore the device around his ankle, is a notable example.

The NFL is not the only professional sports league to implement contact tracing devices. The NBA has experimented with Kinexon SafeZone devices, and Major League Baseball has introduced similar technology.

What are the rules around wearing ankle monitors during a game?

The ankle monitors worn by NFL players are devices for contact tracing, implemented by the NFL to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on the season. The flashing red light on the device lights up when it is within six feet of another person wearing the device, promoting social distancing among players when they are off the field.

While the NFL does not explicitly state that players cannot wear ankle monitors during a game, the league has strict rules regarding uniforms and apparel to ensure player safety, maintain competitive balance, create a professional appearance, and protect the league's business partnerships.

Players must comply with uniform rules, such as wearing thigh and knee pads for protection, tucking in their jerseys, and wearing white stockings from the top of the shoe to mid-calf. The NFL also banned the use of non-standard or "overbuilt" face masks unless a player can provide a medical exemption.

The league's rules regarding equipment and apparel focus on quality and safety. For example, the NFL's Foot and Ankle Subcommittee tests different shoes for durability and flexibility and recommends the most comfortable and durable options to players. Additionally, the NFL denied Khalil Mack's request to use an "overbuilt" face mask but granted Justin Tuck an exemption for medical reasons.

While the ankle monitors are not explicitly mentioned in the NFL's uniform and equipment rules, it is likely that the league would allow their use during games as they serve a similar purpose to other approved devices such as biometric trackers. However, the decision may ultimately lie with the uniform inspectors who are responsible for ensuring compliance with the league's uniform and equipment rules.

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