The National Football League (NFL) has suspended a total of five professional players for betting offences.
Since the overturning of PASPA in 2018, the NFL has carried a strict policy for gambling - especially gambling occurring inside the NFL. NFL personnel are not allowed to participate in any sports betting.
The NFL has suspended Lions receivers Jameson Williams, Quintez Cephus, Stanley Berryhill, C.J. Moore and Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney.
Lions receivers Williams and Berryhill have received six-game suspensions for violations against the league’s betting policy. Cephus, Moore, and Toney were all suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games and can apply for reinstatement after the 2023 season.
The NFL’s official policy states that “Examples of activities that constitute gambling include, but are not limited to, betting on sporting events or other athletic competitions, including placing wagers at sports books and similar establishments; betting on card, dice or video games (including poker, in any of its variations); playing casino games (e.g., slot machines, blackjack, keno, roulette, craps); betting on animal racing or fighting; or participating in “sports pools.”
The NFL later confirmed the suspensions:
"A league review uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way," the league said in a statement.
Last year, wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended indefinitely for the entire 2022 season for gambling on NFL games; he was later traded from Atlanta Falcons to Jacksonville Jaguars and was reinstated the following year.
