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Five National Football League (NFL) players have been suspended for violating the League’s gambling policies, including four players from the Detroit Lions. Jameson Williams, Quintez Cephus, Stanley Berryhill and C.J. Moore of the Lions, and Washington Commanders Shaka Toney of the Washington Commanders, all caught suspensions that range from six games to an indefinite period. All the players were pretty clearly being used as examples of what happens to players who violate the NFL’s betting policies.
The good news for everyone involved is that none of the players were accused of wagering on the outcome of their own games. Unfortunately, Cephus, Moore and Toney were all accused of wagering on other NFL games, hence their more serious, indefinite suspensions. All three will be eligible to apply for reinstatement after the end of the 2023 season, though Cephus and Moore were both cut from the Lions.
Williams and Berryhill are accused of placing wagers on other sports, specifically college football, from within an NFL facility and are still eligible to participate in team practices, though the six-game suspensions eat up a large chunk of the 17-game NFL regular season.
In a statement reported on by Kevin Patra of NFL.com, Lions general manager Brad Holmes summed up the situation saying, “These players exhibited decision making that is not consistent with our organizational values and violates league rules. 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 and will work with both players to ensure they understand the severity of these violations and have clarity on the league rules moving forward.”
These suspensions will certainly make other active NFL players think twice before placing wagers on any spors.