5 NFL stars who faced suspension for gambling
The NFL has always had a policy that states that none of its players, coaches or any other personnel member is permitted to wager on NFL games in any form. The rules are reportedly in place to protect the integrity of the game, while trying to prevent a wager from having any influence on performance.
While the exact number of players from NFL history who have broken the gambling rules will never be known for sure, the players who are caught have always received a suspension from the NFL. Here are the five players who have been suspended for doing so.
NFL players who were suspended for gambling
#1 - Calvin Ridley
Calvin Ridley is currently suspended for betting on games during the 2021 NFL season. He was caught placing wagers in November during the 2021 season while away from the team for several weeks dealing with mental health issues.
BREAKING: Calvin Ridley has been suspended a year for gambling on NFL games during the season
#PMSLive https://t.co/EpARJ4IANW
He reportedly bet on his own team, the Atlanta Falcons, for, at least, one of his wagers. The league reported that, though he bet on his own team, it was while he was away and never bet on a game that he played in. If he had, the penalty likely would have been a lot worse, but he's still suspended for, at least, a full year.
#2 - Josh Shaw
Josh Shaw was on the Injured Reserve list during the 2019 season when he went to Las Vegas and wagered on games. He admitted to doing so and reportedly never hid anything that he was doing, claiming that he misunderstood the rules that banned him from gambling.
Shaw was reinstated prior to the 2021 season but has yet to sign with another team. He spent five years with four different teams in his professional career and is currently eligible to join any team.