This Thursday (29), the NFL announced the suspension of cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and defensive end Rashod Berry, both players from the Indianapolis Colts, as well as defensive tackle Demetrius Taylor, who is currently a free agent. These players were suspended indefinitely for placing sports bets, with the duration of the suspension spanning at least the 2023 season.
The suspensions were enforced due to the violation of NFL policy prohibiting players from betting on league games.
Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere received a six-game suspension for betting on other sports while on the job. Afterwards, the Colts announced that both Isaiah Rodgers and Rashod Berry were released due to their suspensions.
According to journalist David Purdum, from ESPN in the United States, Rodgers made more than 100 bets, including at least one on a Colts game. A friend of Rodgers, who was in Florida, encouraged him to place the bets, and most of them ranged between 25 and 50 dollars (approximately R$ 121 and R$ 243, respectively).
It is worth noting that sports betting was not legal in Florida during the past football season. The largest bet recorded on Rodgers’ account was $1,000 on an over/under rushing yards by a Colts running back, which he won.
The NFL’s investigation into betting policy violations found no evidence of match fixing, according to Purdum sources.
NFL actions to prevent sports betting from league athletes
Last week, the NFL announced its plans to tighten its sports betting policy for all players. As part of these efforts, rookies will be required to attend educational sessions, and a group of league officials will make face-to-face visits to team facilities to emphasize and clarify what activities are prohibited in the context of the growing popularity of sports betting.
The league will focus on emphasizing the following six “key rules” to players:
- Don’t bet on the NFL;
- Do not bet on your team’s venue while traveling to an away game or at the team’s hotel;
- Don’t make someone bet for you;
- Do not share “inside information” of the team;
- Do not enter a bookmaker during the NFL season;
- Don’t play daily fantasy football.
