Nine NFL players have recently been given multiple game suspensions due to the discovery that they were gambling on their own games. Isaiah Rodgers, Rashod Berry, and Demetrius Taylor, are a few names among those affected.
Though there was no evidence found of any game manipulation, none of them are eligible to play for the remainder of the 2023 season, but are able to apply for reinstatement at the end of the year.
Rodgers, who was a starter for the Indianapolis Colts for nine games, was found to have placed over 100 bets since 2022, varying from $25 to $50. He won most of them, including one of his final bets, where he put $1000 down for the over/under on a Colts game. He and Rashod Berry have since been waived as a consequence of their suspensions.
General manager Chris Ballard said in a statement recently: “The integrity of the game is of the utmost importance [and] as an organization we will continue to educate our players, coaches and staff on the policies in place and the significant consequences that may occur with violations.”
The NFL stated that the plans are to double down on the gambling policy education for players by having a number of league officials visit team facilities so that there is clarification on what is prohibited. Incoming rookies will also have to attend mandatory lessons where they’ll be taught the six “key rules,” which are: don’t bet on the NFL; don’t gamble at your team facility; don’t gamble while traveling for a road game or staying at a team hotel; don’t have someone bet for you; don’t share team “inside information;” don’t enter a sports book during the NFL playing season; and don’t play daily fantasy football. The league is heavily enforcing these rules as time goes on and urges that other players don’t make the same mistakes in order to avoid the consequences.
