Isaiah Rodgers and Rashod Berry of the Indianapolis Colts and free agent Demetrius Taylor had been suspended indefinitely — via no less than the 2023 season — for betting on NFL video games final season.
As well as, Tennessee Titans offensive deal with Nicholas Petit-Frere was suspended six video games for betting on different sports activities on the office. The 4 suspensions had been introduced Thursday by the NFL.
The Colts subsequently introduced that each Rodgers and Berry have been waived as a consequence of their suspensions.
“The integrity of the sport is of the utmost significance,” basic supervisor Chris Ballard stated in a press release. “As a company we’ll proceed to teach our gamers, coaches, and workers on the insurance policies in place and the numerous penalties that will happen with violations.”
Sources conversant in the exercise on the net sportsbook account utilized by Rodgers informed ESPN’s David Purdum on Thursday that upward of 100 bets had been positioned, together with no less than one wager on a sport involving the Colts. A supply informed ESPN that pals of Rodgers, who had been in Florida, inspired him to put lots of the wagers, the vast majority of which had been within the $25-$50 vary. Authorized sports activities betting was not out there in Florida this previous soccer season. The biggest wager positioned via the account was a $1,000 prop wager on the over/beneath on speeding yards by a Colts working again, which gained.
PlayerSuspensionRashod Berry, INDindefinite*Stanley Berryhill, DET6 video games*Quintez Cephus, DETindefinite*C.J. Moore, DETindefinite*Nicholas Petit-Frere, TEN6 gamesIsaiah Rodgers, INDIndefinite*Demetrius Taylor, FAindefiniteShaka Toney, WASindefiniteJameson Williams, DET6 video games*Later launched
The NFL investigation into the playing violations didn’t discover proof of any sport manipulation, a league supply informed Purdum.
Rodgers, 25, acknowledged his scenario on social media earlier this month, saying he takes “full accountability” for his actions.
In a press release to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Petit-Frere stated Thursday, “The betting I engaged in was NOT NFL associated and was authorized beneath Tennessee regulation. It’s only being sanctioned as a result of it occurred on the Titans facility.
“I need to apologize to my household, coaches, teammates and the Titans followers. I’ve at all times strived in each stage of my life to comply with the principles. I didn’t knowingly break the principles. Even after attending a league presentation, I used to be unaware concerning the specifics round putting bets from a crew facility.
“I’ll do every little thing in my energy to assist the crew throughout coaching camp and can be ready once I return to the roster in the course of the season.”
The Titans stated in a press release that “we consider in Nick and know that he has deep respect for the integrity of the sport and our group. We’ll proceed to emphasise to our gamers the significance of understanding and adhering to league guidelines and insurance policies.”
Rodgers, a cornerback, was seen as an vital participant on the Colts’ protection after the departure of veteran starter Stephon Gilmore, who was traded to the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. Rodgers began 9 video games in 2022. He additionally has been a key contributor on particular groups, averaging 27 yards per kick return in his profession.
Rodgers’ exit will instantly press second-round choose Julius Brents into motion.
Berry, 26, was signed to the Colts’ lively roster in January from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ apply squad. He was anticipated to be among the many many Colts’ defensive linemen battling for a roster spot. He has appeared in eight regular-season video games, most not too long ago in 2021 when he appeared in 5 video games for the Detroit Lions. He additionally appeared in three video games for the New England Patriots in 2020.
The 24-year-old Taylor, a defensive deal with, performed final season for the Lions and appeared in a single sport.
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The Titans chosen Petit-Frere, 23, within the third spherical of the 2022 draft. He gained the proper deal with job throughout coaching camp and began 16 video games final season.
An ankle damage saved Petit-Frere from beginning the Week 17 sport in opposition to Dallas because the Jaguars had been competing for the AFC South Division title. Petit-Frere performed in 97% of the offensive snaps final season when lively. He dedicated eight penalties and had an 84.2 go block win fee.
Earlier this yr, 4 Lions gamers and one Washington Commanders participant had been suspended by the NFL for playing violations. Lions broad receiver Quintez Cephus and security C.J. Moore had been suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL video games, as was Commanders defensive finish Shaka Toney. Detroit broad receivers Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill had been suspended for six video games every for cellular betting that occurred on the Lions’ Allen Park facility.
The Lions subsequently launched Cephus, Moore and Berryhill.
Final yr, then-Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for the complete 2022 season for betting on NFL video games over a five-game stretch when he was away from the crew. He was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars on the commerce deadline in November and reinstated in March.
The NFL stated final week that it deliberate to bolster its playing coverage to gamers. All rookies can be required to attend necessary schooling periods, and a bunch of league officers is making in-person visits to crew services to emphasise and make clear what actions are prohibited amid the fast proliferation of sports activities playing.
The six “key guidelines” of the playing coverage the league officers will emphasize are:
Do not wager on the NFL.
Do not gamble at your crew facility, whereas touring for a street sport or staying at a crew resort.
Haven’t got somebody wager for you.
Do not share crew “inside data.”
Do not enter a sportsbook in the course of the NFL taking part in season.
Do not play each day fantasy soccer.
Eleven gamers, no less than one assistant coach and an undisclosed variety of league personnel have been suspended for violating the NFL playing coverage since 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court docket struck down a federal statute that had restricted regulated betting to primarily Nevada. For the reason that Supreme Court docket choice, 34 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have launched authorized betting markets.
ESPN’s Turron Davenport and Stephen Holder contributed to this report.
