The NFL on Thursday announced penalties for four players who violated the league’s gambling policy.
Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, who started nine games last season, reserve tight end Rashod Berry for the Indianapolis Colts, and free-agent defensive tackle Demetrious Demetrious, who started one game last season for the Detroit Lions. Taylor has been suspended. His NFL game bets for the 2022 season require him at least a year.
Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Nicolas Petit-Frère has been suspended for six games for betting on other sports while at the team’s facility. They will be allowed to participate in training camps, pre-season practices and games.
An NFL spokeswoman declined to comment on details of the investigation or how the league discovered the players’ misconduct.
The Colts released Rodgers and Berry shortly after the NFL announced their suspension.
“The integrity of the game is paramount,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard said in a statement. “As an organization, we will continue to educate our players, coaches and staff about the policies in place and the serious consequences that violations can have.”
The Titans said in a statement that the team was aware of Petit Frère’s suspension but had not announced any further sanctions.
“We trust Nick and know he deeply respects the game and the integrity of our organization,” the team said.
A representative for Rogers declined to comment. Representatives for Taylor, Berry and Petit Frères did not respond to requests for comment.
The penalty was the second wave of mid-season suspensions handed down in two months. Seven NFL players have been suspended for full seasons in the past two years, and professional football and other major sports are accepting legalized gambling income.
The NFL said in April that Detroit Lions receiver Quintess Cephas, safety CJ Moore and Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney had bet on football games during the 2022 season, a league investigation found. As a result, he was suspended for an indefinite period of time. As with their recent suspensions, all are eligible to apply for reinstatement at the end of the 2023 season.
Two other Lions players, receivers Stanley Berryhill and Jameson Williams, received six-game suspensions each for gambling violations, which the club wagered on other sporting events from NFL facilities. It was announced that the act was also included.
Receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for one season in March 2022 for betting on football games while he was away from the Atlanta Falcons to focus on his mental health. He will return in a year and will make his debut with the Jacksonville Jaguars in September.
League policy prohibits employees from betting on or brokering NFL games, practices, drafts or other events. Players are permitted to bet on other sports, but may not gamble at work or while on duty. This includes traveling to games or making promotional appearances on behalf of the league.
During a conference call with reporters in June, N.FL. Vice President of Communications, Public Relations and Policy Jeff Miller detailed the league’s efforts to educate players about gambling policies. Rookies are required to attend a rules session, and N.FL. officials visited teams to highlight wagering regulations.
