NFL suspends five players for allegedly placing bets on games during the 2022 season

The NFL announced on Friday that it has imposed heavy suspensions on four Detroit Lions players and one Washington Commander player for allegedly violating the league's gambling policy.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore, along with Washington Commanders' defensive end Shaka Toney, have been "suspended indefinitely, lasting at least until the end of the 2023 season, for placing bets on NFL games during the 2022 season," as stated in an official league release. In the wake of the suspensions, the Lions cut ties with Cephus and Moore.

Shaka Toney

Meanwhile, Lions WRs Stanley Berryhill and Jamerson Williams were each banned from the first six games of this upcoming season. However, according to the league, they can still participate in preseason activities with their team.

"These players exhibited decision-making that is not consistent with our organizational values and violates league rules," Lions GM Brad Holmes said in a statement.

"We have made the decision to part ways with Quintez and C.J. immediately. We are disappointed by the decision-making demonstrated by Stanley and Jameson. We will work with both players to ensure they understand the severity of these violations and have clarity on the league rules moving forward," he stated, as reported by NBC News.

Stanley Berryhill

While the league was short on details, it insisted no games were compromised by the players' alleged wagering. "The gambling policy, which is annually reviewed with all NFL personnel, including players, prohibits anyone in the NFL from engaging in any form of gambling in any club or league facility or venue, including the practice facility," according to the league. "A league review uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way."

However, attorney I. Nelson Rose, who specialized in gambling law, scoffed at the NFL statement that players didn't employ any inside knowledge in making bets. "How does the league know that?" said Rose, professor emeritus at Whittier College, as reported by the above-mentioned media. "I mean, they watch the games, they talk to each other, they know each other. Of course, they hear things."

Jamerson Williams

Gambling, once completely verboten in NFL circles, has exploded into mainstream acceptance after the Supreme Court in 2018 struck down a federal law that required states to ban gambling on sports. NFL games are now packed with ads for gambling websites as wagering on sports is now legal in one form or another in 33 states and the District of Columbia.

The NFL suspended Atlanta Falcons WR Calvin Ridley for all of the 2022 season. Arizona Cardinals cornerback Josh Shaw was suspended for the 2020 campaign and hasn't played in the league ever since.