Why do NFL players stay in hotels at home games? Do they share hotel rooms? (2024)

Before hitting the headlines for his vaccine status and subsequent positive covid test, Aaron Rodgers made the news only a few short weeks ago for his complaints about having back pain. While he found himself out of step with the public in general and the NFL specifically with his percieved “anti-vax” views, which he later backtracked on, he certainly had a very valid point on the back pain issue. It seems a lifetime ago, but if we think back to his complaint, it centered on a team rule that Green Bay has in place, an “antiquated procedural thing in our league” according to Rodgers, of requiring the team to sleep in a hotel the night before home games.

Aaron Rodgers woke up Sunday morning with back pain before helping Green Bay to a 24-10 win over Washington — pain Rodgers chalked up to the hotel bed he slept in on Saturday night. https://t.co/0amlbthYno

— Wisconsin State Journal (@WiStateJournal) October 25, 2021

The origins of the idea

Historically, coaches were concerned that young players would hit the town instead of getting a good night’s sleep. It is no good having a fantastic offensive line if they are hung over on Sunday morning. In the early days of the league, things were run with a much more firm grip by the owners on their squads. Almost military in nature, a football team would have had much more control over their private lives exercised. This would mean that players could be fined or even fired for things like drinking, smoking, carousing the town and of course having a weakness for the ladies. Even for the players who were married, expending energy in the bedroom with a partner would be seen as a dereliction of duty on the field.

Coaches Hot Seat Quotes of the Day - Saturday, November 13, 2021 - Paul Brown ----> https://t.co/ZGEYKfXmHs
"The key to winning is poise under stress." Paul Brown pic.twitter.com/KhYzU7hdJu

— Coaches Hot Seat (@CoachesHotSeat) November 13, 2021

Many of these sentiments extend into the modern era. No matter that they have been scientifically debunked, anyone who has played any sport, be that football, baseball, basketball, boxing, whatever, will have been told all their lives that “Women weaken legs.”

As a coach the biggest detriment to our craft is when coaches put their clients in harm's way just to prove a point. That is probably the biggest crime of all. https://t.co/jsNDLVk0BY

— Martin Alan Grey (@MartinAlanGrey1) November 12, 2021

In recent decades, of course, players are not seen so much as belonging to a team as being contracted by them. They have far more autonomy and respect than their predecessors did. But many of these antiquated rules have been kept on by many teams as a form of team-building measure. And it is true to some extent that being together outside of “office hours” helps unit cohesion. Anyone that you share a roof with, becomes family in a sense that is much more real than symbolic. Breaking bread is a sacred act and to do so together binds us closer to our comrades. Teams have long used these moments to discuss tactics in a less formal setting in an effort to bring the disparate players into a whole.

Teams commonly spend time together at all levels of sport

At Beckman Catholic, faith is infused across the curriculum, which includes more than praying before each class. Our clubs and athletic teams make prayer part of practices, games and events. The football team attended Mass this morning and joined for prayer and a meal after. pic.twitter.com/M8VQuiNSSf

— Beckman Catholic (@BeckmanCatholic) November 5, 2021

The pandemic twist

During the pandemic of the 2020 season, the NFL elevated this selective tradition to an actual league mandate. The rule reads: “The Home Team will be required to stay at the team hotel the night prior to each game. All hotels must comply with the requirements set forth in the Team Travel Protocol and must provide parking for all players and essential staff segregated from the public.” The new diktat was seen in the light of maintaining a fully isolated league that could continue to field teams without undue exposure to the covid-19 virus. No longer could smaller market teams, or teams that had not seen the sense in wasting money in this way, choose to have their players sleep in their own beds the night before a game. And this is where Aaron Rodgers comes in to the fray. He blamed his chronic back pain on having to sleep in an unfamiliar bed on what is arguably the most important night’s sleep of the week, and he is 100% correct. Leaving aside arguments about drinking and carousing, there are far more sensible ways to maintain a covid protected environment. One would be mandatory vaccination, not only for the players but also their immediate families. Another would make it a breach of contract to be in close proximity to people outside of your close social bubble. There were many routes the league could have taken, but hotel stays were the one they landed on.

Six members of the New Orleans Saints have tested positive for Covid-19 in the first major test of the revamped protocols for the NFL’s second pandemic season https://t.co/AThVm9tBzd

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) September 14, 2021

They can’t all stay in the penthouse suite

The marquee players will get their own rooms, and some of them might even get something really plush. But for rookies and lesser known players, they will have to bunk up with a teammate. Imagine your own work colleagues. How many of them would you like to share a Holiday Inn double room with? Former NFL defensive end Stephen White wrote for Bleacher Report a few years ago, “Some guys snore, others stay up all night on the phone, and still some have poor hygiene. Any of those situations, or many others not listed, could contribute to you not having a good night’s sleep — something that is usually vital to performing well the next day.”

For 25 seasons neither Morten Anderson nor any teammate that bunked up with him on road games got much sleep..
Hotel rooms had a non-stop revolving door of strange.. #NFL #LegendsOfTomorrow pic.twitter.com/TRmf5dOBEN

— Pumpkin Escobar (@Robot_Beep_Boop) November 5, 2021
Why do NFL players stay in hotels at home games? Do they share hotel rooms? (2024)

FAQs

Do NFL players share a hotel room? ›

The marquee players will get their own rooms, and some of them might even get something really plush. But for rookies and lesser known players, they will have to bunk up with a teammate.

Do pro athletes share hotel rooms? ›

Unless it's a very well-known athlete traveling by themselves, most players don't get special rooms, especially if it's an entire team traveling together. Sometimes, rookie players will even have to share rooms.

Do NFL teams stay in a hotel before home games? ›

The experience varies between players and teams, but some things remain constant. When I played for the Buccaneers and the Jets, the players had to stay in a hotel the night before the game, whether we were at home or away. Sometimes you also had to have a roommate, especially the younger guys.

Does the NFL provide housing for players? ›

Most NFL Players have two homes: their offseason home, and a local home for the team they belong to. Sometimes these are one and the same, but usually not. So yes, most will move.

Can NFL players go to the bathroom during a game? ›

As Kalil pointed out though while fans may not have been aware, it's common knowledge among the players that everyone is relieving themselves during the game wherever they can.

Where do NFL players stay the night before a game? ›

Home players have to sleep in hotel rooms the night before games.

Do NFL Waterboys travel with the team? ›

That said, Thieneman was sure to point out the benefits of the role. As he explained, water boys also get to travel with the team and spend time with players, in addition to other perks.

Do NFL players shower after games? ›

After a football game, there is a 10-minute-long cooling off period. This time is usually used for the coach to issue post-game comments, or for players to celebrate or curse their fate, or for players to engage in prayer, as many do. Some use that time to shower and dress rather quickly.

Do NFL teams fly home after night games? ›

Road teams are usually in the air within 2 hours of their game ending, then they'll head home from the airport. Home players will usually go home, if they played a 12:00 pm game they might go out for supper or something. If they played a 4:00 pm game, chances are they'll head home.

Do NFL players take showers at halftime? ›

"This is what I did at halftime, and a lot guys did too: I took my whole uniform off and took a shower," Wilson told the Dan Patrick Show on Tuesday. "Halftime is about 45 minutes so I took a shower, re-taped everything, got my arm stretched again and then we got into a whole other stretch again."

How do NFL players travel to away games? ›

American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Airlines are among those that fly NFL teams when they have away games. The size of the parties of NFL teams has increased in recent years, so those planes are more crowded than you might think. Some teams have contingents of almost two hundred traveling per game.

Do NFL players fly private? ›

One thing that's for certain is that they don't take commercial flights with “regular” travelers. Many people probably think all NFL teams have private airplanes they use to travel, but that's not true of all 32 clubs. The way players travel, and thus the cost, varies by team.

Do practice squad players dress for home games? ›

What Do Practice Squad Players Do? Essentially, the same thing players on the roster do, except dressing and playing on game day. Practice-squad players report to work on the same time schedule as every other player. They attend position, platoon and team meetings, and film sessions with their active-roster teammates.

Do NFL players get healthcare for life? ›

Vested Inactive Life Insurance: Provides life insurance benefits to all vested, inactive players who have not yet reached age 55 and have not yet retired under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan.

How much does it cost a NFL player to give a ball to a fan? ›

According to the NFL's schedule of infractions and fines, players are fined $7,210 for a first offense and $12,360 for a second offense. However, this fine is usually reserved for when players throw or kick the ball into the stands. It's all about safety and making sure there isn't a fight over who gets the ball.

Who do NFL players have towels? ›

Football players use the towels to keep their hands and/or forearms dry when they play. Wet or moist hands can affect one's grip on the ball, and can even spell the difference between winning or losing a match.

Why do football players tuck a towel in their pants? ›

Wide receivers wear towels similar to how running backs do; to keep the biceps and forearms dry. Wide receivers often hit the ground diving for low and high thrown balls. Having a towel tucked into the pants is great to dry the hands before each snap.

What do NFL players drink during games? ›

Top Five Drinks For Football
  • Water. Ask any sports scientist, they'll tell you the best drink for any sport is water. ...
  • Fruit and vegetable smoothie. ...
  • Chocolate milk. ...
  • Isotonic sports drink. ...
  • Protein shake.

Which hotels do NFL players stay at? ›

Marriotts, Hyatt's, Hiltons, etc. The teams have a LOT of requirements so they need to be in places that can handle the meeting room needs, the massive amount of banquet food required, security, privacy, 24 hour staff available, Bell service to haul the players stuff, etc.

Where do the Packers stay before home games? ›

(Occupying the entire hotel might also make security easier to manage.) Another Radisson, less than five miles from Lambeau Field, more than meets the requirements with its 353 rooms and 30,000 square feet of meeting space. (The Packers regularly stay at this hotel the night before a game.)

What do NFL players do during their bye week? ›

During bye weeks, teams typically practice Monday through Wednesday, then take the rest of the week off. Teams basically treat the bye week as vacation time, allowing players to head home for a few days in order to spend time with family and friends, which players do not normally get to do during the regular season.

How much does a NFL Ball Boy get paid? ›

As of Dec 20, 2022, the average annual pay for a Ball Boy in the United States is $38,960 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $18.73 an hour. This is the equivalent of $749/week or $3,246/month.

How much does a NFL water boy make a game? ›

Former NFL player Jake Thieneman claimed in a TikTok clip that an average NFL water boy makes around $53.000, noting that the actual figure depends on the team's status and the applicant's experience.

Do NFL players have roommates on the road? ›

Since the 2013 revision of the collective bargaining agreement, any player not on an entry-level contract is guaranteed their own room on the road. Before that, having a single room was a privilege reserved only for veterans with either 600 games played or 10 years of experience.

What do NFL refs do at halftime? ›

At halftime, officials are given the opportunity to communicate in the privacy of the locker room and take time to discuss the events of the first half. The officials can also use that time to refocus and concentrate on making the second half of the game even better.

What do NFL teams eat before games? ›

One-quarter of the meal should be a lean protein, like fish or beef. And the other quarter of the meal should consist of fruits and vegetables. The pre-game meal is typically eaten four hours before kickoff.

How many hours do NFL players sleep? ›

Based on sleep questionnaires Maas has done with players on multiple teams, he estimates that NFL players average a little more than six hours per night—at least a couple hours short of what their bodies need.

Why do NFL players sleep in hotels? ›

NFL teams typically require players to stay in a team hotel the night before a home game. While the players and coaches could just sleep in their beds at home, many franchises prefer the hotel setup, as it prevents distraction.

How much does it cost for an NFL team to travel for an away game? ›

In 2017, National Football League teams on an average $4,000,000 on travel, it really makes you wonder what it takes for teams to spend so much money with only 8 away games.

Do NFL players eat after a game? ›

Post-game meals for professional football players have changed. The foods served are now focused on healthy portions of vegetables and fruit, lean protein, whole grains and the fat that is found in the meal is a healthier fat such as monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Do players eat at halftime? ›

Besides simply replacing essential nutrients, football players are often hungry at halftime because several hours have gone by since the pregame meal. The small amount of fiber found in fruit and granola bars can help give the athletes a feeling of fullness.

Do NFL players get new uniforms for every game? ›

One might assume that teams have a new uniform for every game, and they do use special uniforms, like historic throwback uniforms, for special games. The reality is, however, they wear the same uniforms, either a home or away version, most games.

What do football players wear under their uniform? ›

Are they sports bras, or are the football players actually wearing vests? The simple answer is: Yes, football players wear vests during training and games to track and measure their performance on the field. They are wearing a GPS vest that just happens to look like a sports bra.

Do NFL players get free transportation? ›

There are no out-of-pocket fees for players except the cost of the ride. "We wanted to do it for every player," NFLPA spokesman George Atallah said. "If it overlaps with a team's program, great." The NFL's program, Safe Ride Solutions, covers all other club and NFL employees.

Do NFL players get new helmets every game? ›

Helmets are designed to be worn only once in their lifetime and to be replaced after any major impact. So the NFL players wear a new helmet for each game.

Do NFL players have to buy their own equipment? ›

NFL players don't have to buy their own gear, but that doesn't mean they get a free ride when it comes to expenses.

Can NFL players wear whatever shoes they want? ›

The NFL, unlike the NBA, doesn't allow players to wear the shoes of their choice, with the league implementing a strict colour code rule. Even then, some players break the in-game dress codes, particularly when it comes to cleats.

Do they fly drones at NFL games? ›

Does the NFL Also Use Drones Now? Yes. The NFL is the first major sports organization to receive permission from the FAA to fly drones over its fields, but it's not as unlimited as it sounds. The NFL had requested a “drone exemption,” an exception to the general rule that drones cannot be used for commercial purposes.

What airline do the Packers fly? ›

American's “Packers routes” are an example of a practice US airlines engage in every autumn: selecting key routes to add flights and/or seats to take advantage of the large cohorts of American football fans who travel to college- and pro-football games every weekend.

Do NFL teams stay in hotels for training camp? ›

NFL teams once again are *not* allowed to require players to stay in a team hotel during training camp, per the memo. Clubs may offer rooms for those who choose to stay; single occupancy only.

Do Waterboys travel with the football team? ›

Thieneman also explained that waterboys enjoy other benefits such as travelling with an NFL team and spending time with some of the stars. Waterboys are also said to be getting free tickets for NFL games, while the majority of them receive free merchandise.

What do NFL refs make? ›

According to the major sports sites (including FanDuel), NFL referees make about $205,000/year.

Do NFL teams have their own planes? ›

The NFL team owns two Boeing 767s to fly its dozens of players and staffers across the US and the globe for important games. Since they own the aircraft, the plane has been laid out in a VIP configuration so players can travel efficiently and comfortably.

Do NFL teams fly home after games? ›

Road teams are usually in the air within 2 hours of their game ending, then they'll head home from the airport. Home players will usually go home, if they played a 12:00 pm game they might go out for supper or something. If they played a 4:00 pm game, chances are they'll head home.

Where do NFL players stay during games? ›

Marriotts, Hyatt's, Hiltons, etc. The teams have a LOT of requirements so they need to be in places that can handle the meeting room needs, the massive amount of banquet food required, security, privacy, 24 hour staff available, Bell service to haul the players stuff, etc.

Where do celebrities sit at football games? ›

These special private seating sections located within stadiums, arenas, and other sporting and entertainment venues, are typically located in the midsection and/or main stand or grandstand.

Where do Cowboys players stay before a home game? ›

Omni Frisco Hotel

Our luxury 16-story hotel serves as the cornerstone of The Star, a 91-acre entertainment district anchored by the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters and 12,000-seat stadium, Ford Center.

Do NFL players play with cups? ›

players protect their home field. Strange as it might seem, however, N.F.L. players do not protect — in any way, apparently — perhaps their most sensitive possession. “In my life, at every level, I have never worn a cup,” Giants tight end Martellus Bennett said this week.

How much does a NFL cheerleader make? ›

For example, on average, NFL cheerleaders receive: $15 – $20 per hour. $500 per match. $75,000 for yearly earnings.

Do coaches talk to quarterbacks during the play? ›

Can Coaches Talk to the QB During a Play? Coaches can communicate with a quarterback between each play and up to fifteen seconds before the clock runs down. Typically speaking, NFL teams have a playbook in mind when going on the field for offense, so the communication tends to build off that strategy.

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