One of the biggest stories in the football world came out when the league suspended five players indefinitely for betting on NFL games. On Friday, the league announced that five players violated the league’s gambling policy. Two players out of the five were banned for at least the entire 2023 season.
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This marks the biggest group of penalties for gambling violations in 60 years. Fans and analysts have been quick to react to the startling news. One of the former legendary tight ends, Shannon Sharpe, criticized all five players who were a part of the gambling group.
The news comes in when the league is actively encouraging gambling through its relationship with sports betting companies. The league did not release any specifics related to the violations by the players. However, it assured that the investigation did not turn up any evidence that “any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way.”
Shannon Sharpe, on his show UNDISPUTED, reacted to Jameson Williams, C.J. Moore, Quintez Cephus, Shaka Toney, and Stanley Berryhill’s suspensions from the league.
Shannon Sharpe angrily charges the players who got suspended for violating the league’s gambling policy
After the NFL announced the surprising news, the Detroit Lions announced that Cephus and Moore had been released from the team, along with Stanley Berryhill and James Williams, who are suspended for the team’s first six regular-season games of the 2023 season.
The league also revealed that Berryhill and Williams were gambling at an NFL facility on other sporting events. “A wise man learns from others. Mistakes: a fool will learn from his own.” The Pro Football Hall of Famer reminded fans of Calvin Ridley’s suspension.
The former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver was suspended from the entire 2022 season for gambling. “NFL pays a lot of money to catch dummies,” Sharpe told the viewers. One can understand Sharpe’s frustration as five perfectly fit and capable athletes have ruined their careers just for the sake of thrill.
What is the league’s gambling policy?
One of the questions that popped up in the minds of fans was why Jameson Williams received a lighter suspension than Calvin Ridley. The answer is that Williams and Berryhill received a lighter suspension because they placed bets on non-NFL games inside the Lions facility. However, former Falcons wide receiver Ridley received an indefinite suspension because he was betting on games during the 2021 season.
curious as to why Jameson Williams only suspended for 6 games, when Calvin Ridley got a year.
isn't it all the same? then again the punishments from the NFL are never consistent
— Andrew Erickson™ (@AndrewErickson_) April 21, 2023
The league’s gambling policy is defined as “the wagering of money and/or something else of value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the intent of winning additional money and/or things of value.”
The policy also includes what should not be done by NFL players. They should not bet on NFL games, card games, or casino games. Whether done in public or private, they will face harsh consequences. Additionally, players can participate in legally operated fantasy sports. However, the price should not exceed $250.
