NFL taps former players to educate current athletes on league’s sports betting policies

The National Football League (NFL) brought in former players during training camp to educate current athletes on the league’s sports betting policies.

Head coaches opened each session to highlight the importance of the rules, the Associated Press reported. The league has suspended at least 15 players for gambling violations since 1963, including several in recent years, though none during last season.

Sabrina Perel, the NFL’s Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, said that about 20 former players are participating in the education program. “I had terrific instances co-presenting with a legend, and, without calling out anyone in particular, what was consistent across each session was that it was palpable," she said. "It was really palpable in the room that it was a very serious topic, and that the players leaned in to hear the legends’ story and the message.”

Notable names such as Warrick Dunn, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Torry Holt, Chad Pennington, and Steven Jackson took part in the initiative, sharing personal experiences and reinforcing the importance of protecting the game’s integrity.

All players, coaches, and staff are required to follow the league’s gambling policies, which are designed to prevent any potential influence on competition outcomes.