Professionals in sports are known for their high conduct and morals; however, there have been incidents of suspensions and arrests for some athletes suspected of gambling, risking the reputation of the National Basketball Association and the National Football League.
It is no secret that NFL and NBA players are prevented from gambling in their own sports. However, some athletes have broken the rules of the game by betting in their own sport. In more recent years, sports gambling has become more common, with several betting scandals involving athletes, including NBA and NFL players.
Although illegal sports betting carries serious consequences, it is shocking when athletes get involved in these scandals and are pulled from the NBA or NFL. While it is not the first time athletes have been suspended for violating the NFL’s gambling policy, some were reinstated.
Illegal Sports Betting: NBA and NFL Athletes Suspended for Gambling
NFL athletes suspended for gambling
1. Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons
In 2022, Ridley got in trouble for betting $1.5 million, which included games of his own team. Because of that, he was banned for a season, but he was reinstated in 2023 and is now with the Titans.
2. Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
Williams broke the law and the NFL’s rule about sports betting from the team’s building while on a road trip. Moreso, he placed a bet on a college football game at the team’s hotel. Williams was punished with a six-game suspension, but it was cut down to four.
3. Nicholas Petit-Frere, Tennessee Titans
Similar to the Williams case, Petit-Frere is another athlete who got in trouble for violating the gambling policy. The former Titans player was at his team’s facility where he placed the bet (on other sports). Unexpectedly, he shared that he did not know what was considered illegal sports betting, which is a must-know for any NFL athlete.
4. Isaiah Rodgers, Indianapolis Colts
Rodgers placed 100 wagers on NFL games, which included his team. Investigation discovered the bets were made from a friend’s account, from $25 to $50, which he publicly admitted to. Subsequently, he tweeted about the situation and acknowledged he wanted to make amends, was placed on indefinite suspension in June. Although, he was returneda year later, but missed 2023 season, and is signed to the Minnesota Vikings on a two-year deal.
5. Rashod Berry, Indianapolis Colts.
Rashod Berry, a former defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, was suspended following a reveal that he was one of the NFL atheletes that had been betting on sports illegally. He placed a bet during the 2022 season, even though it was not allowed. This got him suspended for the whole 2023 season. He is also being punished for crimes that are similar to Rodgers’s. The Colts then let Berry and Isaiah Rodgers go, so they missed the 2023 season as well. Berry only played in eight games for the Colts, and now he is a free agent.
6. Demetrius Taylor, a free agent.
Demetrius Taylor, who now plays for the B.C. Lions in the Canadian Football League, used to play for the Colts, where he broke gambling rules. He signed with the Lions in May 2024, after being reinstated after being suspended in 2023.
7. Quintez Cephus, the Detroit Lions.
Cephus, a former Lions player who plays wide receiver, was found guilty of betting on NFL games in 2023. His indefinite suspension was also lifted after he had been suspended for a season. He is signed with the Houston Texans, but he has not played in an NFL game yet since he was reinstated.
8. C.J. Moore, the Detroit Lions.
Safety Moore has been on an indefinite suspension, which means he missed the 2023 season. The Lions were able to bring him back in June 2024, which was a good thing. Moore has played since he was reinstated and left the Lions in May 2024.
9. Stanley Berryhill, the Detroit Lions.
The NFL suspended Stanley Berryhill for six games in April 2023, but he was allowed to play again in October 2023 after the policy was changed. He was suspended indefinitely, but that was cut down to four games. He left the Lions and signed with the Canadian Football League (CFL).
NBA players arrested for gambling
10. Jontay Porter, the Toronto Raptors.
Jontay Porter, a forward player, was found to have shared private information about an NBA player’s health. He told sports bettors about his injury so they could bet on it. The former Toronto Raptors player also bet against his own team in other games, putting as much as $22,000 on the line online. Porter also pretended to be hurt so he could leave games early. He did this to make sure that bets on bad performances would win. He was found guilty of schemes worth $1 million. He could go to jail and pay a $500,000 fine, as well as a lifetime ban.
11. Terry Rozier, Miami Heat
Miami Heat guard Rozier was arrested following a reveal of him engaging in gambling, with other charges for wire fraud and money laundering in 2023. Ultimately, he was legally arrested and investigated by the FBI then followed on indefinite suspension from the NBA.
12. Damon Jones, Los Angeles Lakers
Former NBA player as well as an assistant coach, Damon Jones was arrested in a shocking incident involving illegal poker games, and which violated many gambling this year. His allegations include selling insider information to place sports bets, such as non-public information about LeBron James’ injury status before a Lakers-Bucks game in 2023, among others. The NBA has placed Jones on indefinite suspension, citing money laundering and other crimes.
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IMAGE CREDITS: Photo by Tim Hart on Unsplash
