5 NFL players with gambling problems ft. Calvin Ridley

NFL players are supposed to be role models to the rest of society, but that doesn't mean they always live up to expectations. While the current crop of superstars such as Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen are clean in the public eye, there are some who have off-field problems.

Many have issues with gambling. Their gambling ranges from betting on games or just spending thousands at a time in the casino.

Here are five players, current and former, who've suffered from gambling problems.

#1 Art Schlichter, Baltimore Colts

The Baltimore Colts drafted Ohio State quarterback Art Schlichter with the fourth pick of the 1982 draft. He struggled with gambling addictions throughout his career. He apparently blew his entire signing bonus through gambling, as well as borrowing and taking money from friends to feed his addiction.

Between 1987 and 1992 he was arrested three times for passing bad checks. In a 2007 interview with Outside The Lines, Schlichter estimated he'd stolen over $1.5 million throughout his life.

#2 Josh Shaw, Arizona Cardinals

Cornerback Josh Shaw was suspended by Roger Goodell for gambling on a game back in 2019. Shaw bounced around the league playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals before his suspension.

He was found to have made a four-figure bet in Las Vegas on a three-team parley, including against his current team, the Cardinals.

Goodell said:

"At the core of this responsibility is the longstanding principle that betting on games or on any element of a game, puts at risk the integrity of the game, damages public confidence in the NFL, and is forbidden under all circumstances. If you work in the NFL in any capacity, you may not bet on NFL football."

NFL Players Suspended for Gambling:

🏈1963 Alex Karras
🏈1963 Paul Hornung
🏈1983 Art Schlichter
🏈2019 Josh Shaw
🏈2022 Calvin Ridley