NFL bans three players for entire 2023 season for breaking gambling rules

The NFL have suspended three players for breaching the league’s gambling rules.

Isaiah Rodgers and Rashod Berry, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts, and free agent Demetrius Taylor are suspended indefinitely through at least the conclusion of the 2023 season for betting on NFL games in the 2022 season.

Meanwhile, Nicholas Petit-Frere of the Tennessee Titans has been suspended for the team’s first six regular season games of the 2023 season for betting on non-NFL sports while at the Titans facility; a violation of the league’s gambling policy.

Petit-Frere’s can partake in all offseason and preseason activities, inclusive of preseason games. 

Both Rodgers and Berry were released by the Colts less than an hour after the suspension was announced by the league.  

Taylor was released by the Detroit Lions May 9 after initially being picked up by the NFC North franchise as an undrafted free agent out of App State.

As was previously reported Rodgers’ gambling will cause him to miss the entirety of ’23 season

Colts defensive end Rashod Berry, like Rodgers, will miss the upcoming season – as a minimum

Free agent and former Detroit Lions undrafted free agent Demetrius Taylor is also suspended

‘We have made the following roster moves as a consequence of the determination that these players violated the league’s the gambling policy,’ Chris Ballard said in a statement regarding Rodgers and Berry.

‘The integrity of the game is of the utmost importance. As an organization we will continue to educate our players, coaches, and staff on the policies in place and the significant consequences that may occur with violations.’ 

The announcement imminently follows the league’s release of six ‘key rules’ which players must abide by to avoid punishment akin to Berry, Rodgers, Petit-Frere, Calvin Ridley, Jameson Williams and Co.

They are: Don’t bet on the NFL; Don’t gamble at your team facility, while traveling for a road game or staying at a team hotel; Don’t have someone bet for you; Don’t share team ‘inside information’; Don’t enter a sportsbook during the NFL playing season; Don’t play daily fantasy football.

What remains unexplained is why players are able to bet on other sports during their time away from the facility, as per the aforementioned conditions, and yet other league and team personnel – including staff and coaches – cannot at any juncture. 

Then, there is the issue wherein sports gambling is illegal in three states — Florida, Texas and California — which eight franchises reside; Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa Bay, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco, along with LA’s Rams and Chargers.

The NFL emphasized its commitment to educate league players following recent violations

‘Sports gambling has a great deal more presence in people’s lives than it did just a few short years ago,’ NFL executive vice president of communications, Jeff Miller told reporters.

‘Which means for us as [a] sports league — where integrity of the game is the highest single principle — that we have to be thoughtful and careful and scrutinize how we share information and educate people around the rules that govern it.’

Criticism has arrived at the doorstep of the NFL’s league office at 345 Park Ave, in some instances regarding the education of its players on the Do’s and Don’ts of the gambling policy. 

Williams, the Lions’ talented sophomore receiver, said last month he ‘wasn’t aware’ of the policy before receiving a six game ban — one of four Detroit players suspended.