NFL gambling has become a hot topic this offseason, especially after the NFL announced the indefinite suspensions of three players after betting on league games in 2022, among other violations.
And like many others, former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason can’t believe it’s come to this.
“Any player who comes out and says, ‘Well, they didn’t tell me,’ that’s a bunch of rubbish,” Esiason said bluntly on WFAN on Thursday morning with the league’s announcement coming soon after.
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WFAN host Norman Julius “Boomer” Esiason in his NY Rangers jersey. (Marcus Santos/NY Daily News via Getty Images)
“It’s up to the player to be the professional you’re supposed to be and earn the money you’re earning and play in a league that you have the privilege of playing in and protect the integrity of that league by not betting on the league.”
The league has a strict policy when it comes to gambling: no betting on NFL games, no betting on any sport while at team facilities or en route hotels, no bets from anyone outside of the organization are allowed for the player, no sports bets are allowed to be entered during the NFL season, and no daily fantasy football players.
NFL INDEFINITELY SUSPENDS THREE PLAYERS FOR BETTING ON LEAGUE GAMES IN 2022
“For players who say, ‘I don’t know the rules,’ that’s BS,” Esiason said. “I know the NFLPA should put it in the heads of your union members: ‘You can’t do this. Here are the rules, we’re going to send them to you a thousand different ways. Email, text, TikTok, social media, whatever. DMs, we’ll slide into your DMs with the rules so you know what the hell is going on, because that’s where you spend most of your day anyway, on your fucking phone.'”
Esiason added that the two New York organizations, the Jets and the Giants, had meetings during OTAs and minicamps about the rules of the game.
Indianapolis Colts players Isaiah Rodgers and Rashod Berry, as well as free agent Demetrius Taylor, have been issued indefinite suspensions for violating the NFL’s wagering policy, which was announced Thursday by the league. Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere was also banned for six games, according to Thursday’s announcement, for gambling on “non-NFL sports at club facilities,” which is a clear violation. of league politics.
Isaiah Rodgers, number 34 of the Indianapolis Colts, walks off the field during the game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 2, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Rodgers, a 25-year-old cornerback, admitted to “misjudgment” earlier this month after reports indicated he had placed bets.
“I know I’ve made mistakes and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to fix the situation. The last thing I wanted to do was be a distraction to the Colts organization, my coaches and my teammates. I left behind people I care about.” Rodgers wrote.
The Detroit Lions also received suspensions, with wide receiver Jameson Williams receiving a six-game suspension to begin the 2023 campaign.
And there was Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who was just reinstated last March after being suspended for gambling while on leave from the Atlanta Falcons.
Boomer Esiason attends the 2022 Paramount Upfront at 666 Madison Avenue on May 18, 2022 in New York City. (Arthur Holmes/WireImage)
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Although gambling has become an important part of sports in general in the United States as more states legalize betting, the NFL hopes there won’t be more cases like this.
