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Isaiah Rodgers, Rashod Berry, Demetrius Taylor and Nicholas Petit-Frere are the most recent on a rising listing of NFL gamers suspended by the league for gambling. In the 2 years for the reason that league inked its first offers with U.S. sports activities betting companions, 10 gamers have forfeited greater than $25 million in wage and signing bonus because of suspensions for violating league playing guidelines. 

Rodgers and Berry, each launched by the Colts after being suspended for all the 12 months, have been set this season to make $2.7 million and $940,000, respectively. Taylor, a free agent, was additionally suspended for all 17 video games. All have been punished for betting on NFL video games. Petit-Frere, who performs for the Titans, was set to make $1.2 million this season; he was suspended for a less-severe six video games for betting on non-NFL video games at crew amenities.

Along with the 4 gamers introduced Thursday, Jacksonville Jaguars vast receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for the 2022 season, forfeiting his $11 million wage final 12 months. Former Detroit Lions vast receiver Quintez Cephus ($1 million), security C.J. Moore ($1.1 million) and Washington Commanders defensive finish Shaka Toney ($940,000) drew indefinite suspensions in April for betting on the NFL.

Lions vast receiver Jameson Williams and vast receiver Stanley Berryhill obtained a six-game suspension for wagering on school soccer video games. Williams forfeited $6.8 million in compensation, together with his signing bonus, whereas Berryhill, who was launched by the Lions after his suspension, was set to obtain $850,000 wage.

The complete quantity in misplaced salaries, which got here from Spotrac, doesn’t embrace how a lot was misplaced from potential endorsement and sponsorship alternatives. Responsible playing coverage skilled Brianne Doura-Schawohl believes this newest string of suspensions ought to make clear one of many bigger points at play. 

“I think there’s still some element of confusion around what is and what’s not acceptable,” mentioned Doura-Schawohl, who serves as a marketing consultant for fantasy sports activities firm Underdog. “It highlights the ever-growing need to be better about educating the players. Both about their policies and responsibilities but also that they’re more at risk to find themselves struggling with problem gambling.”

Not everyone seems to be shopping for that gamers are nonetheless unclear in regards to the laws.

“For the players out there saying, ‘I don’t know the rules,’ that’s BS, totally,” former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason mentioned in an look on WFAN. “I do know that the NFLPA should be putting it into their union members’ heads, ‘You can’t do this. Here are the rules, we’ll send them to you a thousand different ways … we’ll slide into your DMs with the rules, so you know what the hell is going on.”

The NFL has continued to push for accountable playing with varied campaigns and public service bulletins. Future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady was recruited because the league’s new spokesperson on playing insurance policies. League officers just lately held a video convention with media members to debate participant/coach training and playing potentialities.

“It’s important to emphasize education, but there have to be consequences for breaking the policy,” Doura-Schawohl mentioned.