Having taken the Covid-19 Contact Tracing Course available from Johns Hopkins and with my background in football operations I was well qualified to step into a role with the FCF as their Covid Compliance Officer. Prior to my arrival the league Founders and executive staff established a well thought out and vetted Covid related procedures & protocols in order to operate in a clean “bubble” environment.

My role was multifaceted, first I was hired to help enforce the day to day procedures to ensure a safe and secure “bubble”. Many of our guidelines and operations were centered on much the same guidance we’ve all been hearing for the last year or more (Social distancing, proper mask wearing, washing hands, etc.). As expected, there was some pushback from some of those inside the “bubble”. In cases of non-compliance, I would have a conversation with the individual and worked to improve understanding and knowledge and why it was important for the whole of the organization that these rules be in place. Secondly, I was responsible for scheduling tests in accordance with a pre-determined pace by working with our contracted health systems. Although simple in theory, it is made more complex when new people enter the bubble and need more frequent testing during their initial quarantine period. As we’ve all learned and experienced the last year, guidance and new science are updated as an almost daily occurrence, so to be on the cutting edge required flexibility and adaptability. Lastly, I conducted any necessary contact tracing as a basis for gathering more information to determine best next steps.

Based on my work and efforts at all levels of the FCF, we did not have a single disruption to our game schedule. In short, the plan worked and we were successful in keeping a Covid-19 outbreak from prematurely ending our season and perhaps shutting down the entire organization. The lack of outbreaks resulted in sky-high viewership, fan participation, and corporate partnerships, all far exceeding any goals the Founders and investors had for the first season of Fan Controlled Football.