NFL Hands Down More Gambling Suspensions

Kurt Breidenstein

798 days ago

We have speculated for weeks about the impending gambling suspensions that would be announced by the NFL. Those players have been revealed to the public. They included Colts players DB Isaiah Rodgers Sr and DE Rashod Berry. Others included FA Demetrius Taylor and Titans OT Nicholas Petit-Frere. All players (except Frere) have been suspended indefinitely, with the opportunity to apply for reinstatement with the commissioner next season. Petit-Frere was given a six-game suspension, which he will serve this upcoming season but can participate in all offseason and preseason activities. Both Rodgers and Berry have been released by the Indianapolis Colts and are doubtful to ever return to the franchise.

The Colts have released Isaiah Rodgers Sr. and Rashod Berry following their indefinite suspensions for gambling handed down by the NFL today.

GM Chris Ballard: pic.twitter.com/SEC0Owjkp8

— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) June 29, 2023

What Brought On Suspensions

We have known about the impending suspension for Rodgers as he confirmed it on social media when his name was leaked as being tied to the gambling allegation. What we did not know at that time was the severity and consequences of his now confirmed actions. It appears that Rodgers will take the biggest hit in the court of public opinion. He has been dragged through the mud unfortunately because it has been known about the report for some time now. Without question, he made a poor decision but the reason the suspension is so severe is because he bet on his own team. Most of the bets were in the $25/$50-dollar range but he did have one known bet on an Over/Under on rushing yards for his teammate, that (reportedly) cashed on a $1000 dollar bet. The total amount of bets is unknown now, but he did have someone placing the bets for him it appears. The details of the others with season-long suspensions are unknown. As for Petit-Frere, it appears that he made some non-football bets at a team facility hence the shorter suspension.

What It Means For The League

Another round of suspensions plagues this league yet again. We saw it with the first round of suspensions already this season and now more have come down. We saw the most notable name last season being WR Calvin Ridley, who was traded to Jacksonville and will return this season after being re-instated by the commissioner’s office. It has always been a difficult subject with the media as the business of gambling and sports are now tied at the hip since sports betting has been legalized across the country. While the number of players being suspended so far has been small, this could be just the beginning. The players cannot gamble on their own sport for obvious reasons, but it appears the education that is being given to the players and staff of the respective franchises are lacking.

"Protect The Shield"

A term that Roger Goodell has used whenever the NFL comes under fire is “Protect The Shield.” He has used it in press conferences and even in front of the US Congress when discussing concussions that have risen these past few seasons. He uses the term as a way of trying to protect the integrity and image of the league. Remember that Goodell works for the owners of these teams, and they decide if he get contract renewals. Goodell must work towards figuring out how best to get these teams educated on the consequences of gambling on the sport. Is the only true way to end this is to make gambling against the rules in any fashion? While it seems a bit drastic, it might the only true solution to rid the NFL and its players of the building gambling issues unless proper gambling rules training is enacted.