NFL to suspend players for gambling

UPDATE: The NFL has announced that the Colts’ Isaiah Rodgers Sr. and Rashod Berry and free agent Demetrius Taylor have suspended indefinitely, through at least the coming season, for betting on NFL games. Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere has been suspended for six games for betting on other games from the workplace.

The NFL is expected to suspend Isaiah Rodgers Sr. for the 2023 season along with several other players that violated the league’s gambling policy, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

a “handful” of others

The Rodgers news comes as no surprise as it was previously reported that the Indianapolis Colts were aware of an investigation into their fourth-year corner and kick returner. However, the vague inclusion of a “handful” of others represents the growing magnitude of the league’s gambling policy crisis. 

Isaiah Rodgers Sr. awaits punishment

Rodgers Sr. was first put into the national spotlight on June 5 when news broke that he was at the center of a probe over repetitive gambling infractions. 

Rodgers Sr. released a statement on social media later that day saying that he took “full responsibility” for his actions. He also said that he was “willing to do whatever it takes to repair the situation.”

Rodgers submitted his bets via an online sportsbook account that was opened under the name of an associate. It was revealed that he placed hundreds of bets on NFL games, including several on Colts games, and that he placed a majority of them from the Colts’ facility.

According to league rules, players may not bet on any NFL games, no matter if their team is involved or not, and may not place bets on any sports from the team facility or during team events, such as traveling to games.

Five players, including Detroit Lions second-year wide receiver Jameson Williams, were already suspended earlier in the offseason for violating the betting protocols. New Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Calvin Ridley was also infamously suspended for the entire 2022 season after he was found to have placed several bets while away from the Atlanta Falcons, whom he played for at the time.

Rodgers’ impending suspension will leave the Colts particularly bare in the secondary. They were already affected by the loss of Stephon Gilmore, who signed with the Dallas Cowboys, and are now projected to start second-round pick and rookie Julius Brents opposite Kenny Moore II.

A growing problem

The NFL is seemingly aware of the issue it is facing amid the sports betting boom in America. Earlier this month, it enlisted the help of retired quarterback Tom Brady in an educational video designed to discourage players from wanting to gamble on games.

mandatory educational courses

The league also now requires rookies to undergo mandatory educational courses regarding the sports betting policy. Veteran league officials are also taking visits to team facilities during the offseason to discuss and reinforce what is and isn’t allowed under the NFL’s ruleset.

The league highlighted six keys to staying free from gambling problems. They are:

• Don’t bet on NFL games
• Don’t share sensitive information with gamblers
• Don’t have someone place bets for you
• Don’t gamble at the team facility, while traveling to games, or at the team hotel
• Don’t visit a retail sportsbook during the NFL season
• Don’t play Daily Fantasy Sports

The NCAA earlier this week announced an update to its punishment standards for student-athletes found to be in violation of its gambling policy. Mandatory suspensions were greatly reduced and, in the case of wagers of $200 or less, were removed, and sensitivity training was added in their place.

Although the NFL has not looked to lessen the impact of its punishments for players that break the betting rules, it is showing a much greater interest in educating players and enforcing the policy.