Isaiah Rodgers and Rashod Berry of the Indianapolis Colts and free agent Demetrius Taylor are being suspended indefinitely — through at least the 2023 season — for betting on NFL games last season.
In addition, Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere is being suspended six games for betting on other sports at the workplace.
Sources familiar with the activity on the online sportsbook account used by Rodgers told ESPN’s David Purdum on Thursday that upwards of 100 bets were placed, including at least one wager on a game involving the Colts. A source told ESPN that friends of Rodgers, who were in Florida, encouraged him to place many of the wagers, the majority of which were in the $25-$50 range. Legal sports betting was not available in Florida this past football season. The largest wager placed on the account was a $1,000 prop bet on the over/under on rushing yards by a Colts running back, which won.
Rodgers acknowledged his situation on social media earlier this month, saying he takes “full responsibility” for his actions.
In a statement to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Petit Frere said Thursday, “the betting I engaged in was NOT NFL related and was legal under Tennessee law. It is only being sanctioned because it occurred at the Titans facility.
“I want to apologize to my family, coaches, teammates and the Titans fans. I have always strived in every stage of my life to follow the rules. I did not knowingly break the rules. Even after attending a league presentation, I was unaware about the specifics around placing bets from a team facility.
“I will do everything in my power to help the team during training camp and will be prepared when I return to the roster during the season.”
Four Detroit Lions players and one Washington Commanders player were suspended by the NFL for gambling violations. Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore were suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games, as was Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney. Lions wide receivers Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill were suspended for six games each for mobile betting that occurred at the Lions’ Allen Park facility.
The Lions subsequently released Cephus, Moore and Berryhill.
Last year, then-Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for the entire 2022 season for betting on NFL games over a five-game stretch when he was away from the team. He was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars at the trade deadline in November and reinstated in March.
Source:ESPN
