NFL Players Caught Sports Betting: Scandals, Suspensions, and League Crackdowns
By Jason Bolton June 18, 2025 09:55
Sports betting scandals have long cast shadows over professional sports, and the NFL is no exception. Despite the league’s strict gambling policies, a growing number of players have been caught betting on NFL games, prompting suspensions and intensified league crackdowns. This trend has raised questions about the integrity of the sport and the challenges the NFL faces in an era of legalized sports betting.
Historical Context: Early Gambling Scandals
The NFL’s stance on gambling dates back decades. In 1963, two Hall of Famers, Paul Hornung of the Green Bay Packers and Alex Karras of the Detroit Lions, were suspended for the entire season for betting on NFL games and associating with known gamblers. Commissioner Pete Rozelle’s decisive action sent a clear message: gambling would not be tolerated. This early scandal remains one of the most notorious in league history and set the tone for future enforcement.
Another infamous case involved Baltimore Colts quarterback Art Schlichter, suspended in 1983 for betting on NFL games during his rookie season. Schlichter’s gambling addiction derailed his career and eventually led to prison time for financial crimes, underscoring the personal and professional risks players face when crossing the line.
Recent Surge in Gambling Violations
Since the 2018 Supreme Court decision that allowed states to legalize sports betting, the NFL has seen a sharp rise in gambling-related suspensions. The 2023 offseason alone witnessed more players suspended for gambling violations than in all previous years combined, highlighting the league’s ongoing struggle to enforce its policies amid the growing accessibility of betting.
Notable recent suspensions include Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who was suspended for the entire 2022 season after placing bets on NFL games while on a non-football injury list. Although investigations found no evidence that Ridley influenced game outcomes or used inside information, the NFL’s zero-tolerance policy led to his indefinite suspension, costing him millions in salary.
The 2023 offseason saw a wave of suspensions involving Detroit Lions players Quintez Cephus, C.J. Moore, Stanley Berryhill, Jameson Williams, and Washington Commanders’ Shaka Toney. Cephus, Moore, and Toney received indefinite suspensions of at least one year, while Berryhill and Williams were suspended for six games each. Indianapolis Colts players Isaiah Rodgers Sr., Rashod Berry, and Demetrius Taylor were also suspended indefinitely and subsequently released by the team. These actions reflect the NFL’s firm stance on maintaining the sport’s integrity.
League Policies and Crackdowns
The NFL’s gambling policy prohibits all league personnel including players, coaches, and staff from wagering on NFL games. Commissioner Roger Goodell has emphasized that violations “put the integrity of the game at risk,” reinforcing the league’s commitment to protecting its reputation.
In addition to suspensions, the NFL has implemented educational programs to inform players about the risks and rules surrounding gambling. The league’s efforts aim to deter violations before they occur, but the increasing prevalence of legalized sports betting presents ongoing challenges.
The Impact on Players and the League
Gambling suspensions have significant consequences for players’ careers and finances. Calvin Ridley’s suspension, for example, sidelined a key offensive weapon and cost him millions in potential earnings. For others, like the suspended Detroit Lions players, the penalties have led to release from their teams, jeopardizing their professional futures.
For the NFL, these scandals threaten fan trust and the perception of fairness in competition. The league’s aggressive enforcement signals its awareness of these risks and its determination to uphold the game’s integrity.
The rise in NFL players caught betting on games underscores the tension between the expanding sports betting landscape and the league’s strict policies. From historic suspensions of legends like Paul Hornung to recent crackdowns on multiple players in 2023, the NFL’s zero-tolerance approach remains clear: gambling violations will not be tolerated.
As Commissioner Goodell stated, “The integrity of the game is paramount.” The NFL’s ongoing challenge will be balancing the realities of legalized betting with safeguarding the sport’s competitive fairness, ensuring that the game remains a trusted spectacle for fans worldwide.
This evolving saga serves as a cautionary tale for players and a reminder of the delicate balance between sports and gambling in the modern era.
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