On Monday, it was reported that the NFL was investigating an Indianapolis Colts player for “pervasive” sports betting, which reportedly included wagers on the Colts.
It was later revealed that the player in question is cornerback and kick returner Isaiah Rodgers.
Per ESPN’s report, “Most of the bets were in the $25-$50 range, although there was at least one low four-figure bet.”
It certainly looks like this problem will only get bigger as more players are sure to be caught up in this investigation.
According to a report from Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the NFL’s “latest probe into sports betting could implicate a healthy number of guys from across the league.”
“As you might imagine, Park Avenue is taking this very, very seriously, knowing that it’ll set a tone for how these matters are handled going forward. It’s also a lot more complicated than it used to be, with the league now heavily involved in the business of gambling, with gaming partnerships left and right, and a casino’s name right there on a stadium in New Orleans that’ll host the Super Bowl just 20 months from now (12 months after Las Vegas hosts one).”
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Violations of the NFL’s gambling policy continue to be an ongoing storyline.
Back in April, the NFL suspended Detroit Lions wideouts Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill for six games after they were found to have placed bets on other sports while at team facilities.
Lions receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore and Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney were suspended indefinitely for sports gambling infractions.
Sports betting has become more prevalent in this day and age among fans, but now players are also wanting to get in on the action, which will continue to present a problem for years to come.
The most notable betting issue was now-Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Calvin Ridley being suspended indefinitely for gambling on NFL games while he was away from the Atlanta Falcons on the non-football illness list in 2021. He was reinstated this March.
“It is going to be a big problem around the league because a lot of players are gamblers,” an anonymous agent told Kalyn Kahler of The Athletic. “I haven’t heard of a player gambling on an NFL game, but pretty much everything else.”