The NFL has taken a tough stance when it comes to players gambling in recent years, as former Atlanta Falcons and current Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley just got reinstated after serving a year long suspension for gambling.
And now, the NFL is cracking down once again, suspending three players indefinitely due to gambling, along with serving two other players with six-game suspensions.
According to FOX News, the NFL said in a press release:
“Quintez Cephus and C.J. Moore of the Detroit Lions, and Shaka Toney of the Washington Commanders, are suspended indefinitely through at least the conclusion of the 2023 season for betting on NFL games in the 2022 season. These players may petition for reinstatement at the conclusion of the 2023 season.”
The league also suspended Lions wide receivers Stanley Berryhill and Jameson Williams for six games this upcoming season.
The press release continued:
“These players are eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason activities, including preseason games. The suspensions will take effect at the final roster cutdown.”
The gambling policy, which is annually reviewed with all NFL personnel, including players, prohibits anyone in the NFL from engaging in any form of gambling in any club or league facility or venue, including the practice facility.
A league review uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way.”
In the immediate aftermath of the suspensions, Detroit announced they were releasing WR Quintez Cephus and safety CJ Moore.
Needless to say, this is a massive hit to the depth of the Lions this upcoming season, as Williams is a projected starter at wide receiver.
But if nothing else, this should serve as a wake-up call to the rest of the league that the NFL isn’t going to come down lightly on players who bet on games, as sports gambling becomes more and more popular.
