The National Football League (NFL) announced on Thursday that it will be imposing punishments on four players for violating its gambling policy.
Isaiah Rodgers and Rashod Berry from the Indianapolis Colts, along with free agent Demetrius Taylor, were found to have placed bets on NFL games during the 2022 season. The three players have been suspended indefinitely, with their suspensions extending at least until the conclusion of the 2023 season. They may request reinstatement after this period, as stated in an NFL news release.
Nicholas Petit-Frere of the Tennessee Titans will serve a suspension for the team’s first six regular season games due to betting on non-NFL sports at the club facility. However, Petit-Frere will still be allowed to participate in offseason activities, preseason activities, and preseason games, according to the NFL.
The NFL strictly prohibits all players from engaging in any form of gambling within any club or league facility or venue, including practice facilities and team travel accommodations. Players are also prohibited from soliciting others to place bets on their behalf or sharing insider information with bettors.
Kalyn Kahler, Senior NFL writer for The Athletic, mentioned in an interview with CBS News that the NFL has one of the strictest sports gambling policies to maintain the integrity of the game. The league believes that allowing gambling on work premises is unnecessary, as expressed by an NFL executive during a press conference.
Recent months have seen multiple players facing suspensions for gambling infractions. In April, five players were suspended for betting on NFL games during the 2022 season. Quintez Cephus and C.J. Moore, previously from the Detroit Lions and now free agents, as well as Shaka Toney of the Washington Commanders, received indefinite suspensions. Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill, both from the Lions, received six-game suspensions for betting on non-NFL games from NFL facilities. Cephus, Moore, and Berryhill have since been released by the Lions.
Kahler mentioned that, based on conversations with NFL players who spoke anonymously, some players were not fully aware of the details of the policy. While they knew they couldn’t bet on NFL games, they were unaware that betting from their workspaces was also prohibited. The prevalence of sports betting apps and the NFL’s partnerships with such companies have made gambling easily accessible to players, further contributing to their familiarity with it.
