The NFL has taken action against four players for violating its gambling policy, as announced on Thursday.
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. Consequently, all three players have been handed indefinite suspensions that will extend at least until the conclusion of the 2023 season. After this period, they will have the opportunity to petition for reinstatement, as outlined in an official NFL press release.
Nicholas Petit-Frere of the Tennessee Titans has also been suspended, but his penalty is limited to the team’s first six regular season games. His suspension stems from betting on non-NFL sports at the club facility. However, Petit-Frere will still be permitted to participate in offseason activities, preseason events, and preseason games, according to the league.
The NFL strictly prohibits all players from engaging in any form of gambling within club or league facilities, including practice venues and team accommodations during travel. Players are further prohibited from soliciting others to place bets on their behalf or sharing insider information with bettors.
Kalyn Kahler, a Senior NFL writer for The Athletic, highlighted in an interview with CBS News that the NFL maintains one of the most stringent sports gambling policies to safeguard the integrity of the game. The league firmly believes that allowing gambling within work premises is unnecessary, as emphasized by a recent statement from an NFL executive during a press conference.
Recent months have witnessed multiple players receiving suspensions for gambling-related offenses. In April, five players faced suspensions for betting on NFL games during the 2022 season. Quintez Cephus and C.J. Moore, formerly with the Detroit Lions and currently free agents, as well as Shaka Toney of the Washington Commanders, received indefinite suspensions. Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill, both from the Lions, were suspended for six games each due to 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 on the condition of anonymity, some players were not fully aware of the specific details of the policy. While they understood that betting on NFL games was prohibited, they were unaware that gambling from their workspaces was also disallowed. The prevalence of sports betting apps and the NFL’s partnerships with gambling companies have made betting readily accessible to players, further contributing to their familiarity with such activities.
