NFL bosses have written to more than 20 players and their teams warning them about safety and sportsmanship, per reports.

Ahead of the new season, senior figures within the league were keen to clamp down on poor behaviour.

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NFL chiefs want to stamp out poor behaviour this seasonCredit: Rex
Prior to Thursday’s opening game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens, NFL chiefs made it clear that they will slap players with big suspensions if necessary.

According to ESPN, the league went as far as to send a memo to more than 20 players and their teams.

Within the memo, it’s claimed that players were warned over their conduct, with the importance of good sportsmanship emphasized.

It also warned players that infractions will not be tolerated, and heavy suspensions could be dished out.

All recipients of the memo are said to have been suspended during the previous two seasons.

The NFL is said to be attempting to make the game “safer” this season.

For the 2024 campaign, the NFL’s Remittance Policy will also be returning.

The Remittance Policy sees teams also fined when their players face suspensions.

It is returning for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The league explained the changes in a further memo sent to its teams.

“When a player receives league discipline for a Covered Infraction, the fine amount (or the amount of salary forfeited in the case of a suspension), up to a maximum of $75,000 per infraction, will be counted toward his club’s season total,” it read, per ESPN.

“For the 2024 season, the Remittance Policy will be triggered when players on a club incur more than $90,000 in fines or suspensions.

“If that threshold is exceeded, the club will be required to remit an amount equal to the cumulative amount of fines for Covered Infractions incurred by its players.

“For example, if players on a club incur a total of $175,000 in fines/suspensions for Covered Infractions during the 2024 season, that club will be required to remit $175,000.”

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Several players have been suspended for on-field infractions during the last two seasons.

They include Kareem Jackson, Damontae Kazee, Denzel Perryman, Mike Evans and Trysten Hill.

But it has not been confirmed which exact players were recipients of the NFL’s warning memo.

The 2024 NFL season kicked off on Thursday night, as the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Baltimore Ravens 27-20 at Arrowhead Stadium.

Proceedings then headed to Brazil, where the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Green Bay Packers 34-29 at Corinthians Arena.

This afternoon the remaining teams will get their seasons underway, save for the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets, who will meet tomorrow in the first Monday Night Football of the season.