The NFL Gambling punishments continue. News came out yesterday from Adam Schefter regarding multiple players being penalized for breaking the NFL Gambling policy.
“A handful of NFL players, including Colts’ cornerback and kick returner Isaiah Rodgers, are expected to receive season-long suspensions this week for allegedly gambling, sources tell ESPN.”
Earlier this month the NFL began investigating Isaiah Rodgers. He stated that he took “full responsibility” for his actions. But he is not the only one. The NFL has yet to reveal the identities of the other culprits. So far the gambling penalties have been levied against relatively under the radar NFL players, outside of Calvin Ridley and Jameson Williams. We have yet to see someone of elite status penalized for breaking the NFL’s gambling policies.
The NFL is doing all they can to shut down players breaking the NFL’s gambling guidelines. With sports betting now legal in more than half of the United States, money is pouring in like never before. The league is happily accepting sportsbooks to pay for ads in NFL games. They have no issue with gambling. In fact they love that Americans are betting like never before. They just can’t have NFL players betting on games because it calls into question the authenticity of the NFL product.
I’m still shocked that players are still getting anywhere near signing up for a sportsbook account. Most guys make millions each year and there have still been a select few that have gotten busted for gambling small amounts of money.
I’d assume this will scare off most players from ever getting close to breaking any of the NFL’s gambling policies. I don’t think players should be allowed to gamble in the same games they are playing in. Yes the NFL is making boatloads of money pushing sportsbooks on their fans, but allowing players to gamble would create chaos.
Suspensions Coming For Handful Of NFL Players
I hope the NFL is policing the referees, coaches, and NFL ahead office personnel as much as they are the players.