The NFL suspended five players for violating the league’s gambling policy, leading the Detroit Lions to release two of their four players hit with sanctions on Friday.
The Lions cut safety C.J. Moore and receiver Quintez Cephus after their indefinite suspensions. Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney also received an indefinite suspension — the same penalty the league hit Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley with last offseason.
The violations by Moore and Cephus included “betting on NFL games,” according to the Lions. In its statement that announced the sanctions, the NFL said, “a league review uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way.”
Detroit receivers Stanley Berryhill and Jameson Williams were each given six-game suspensions, which leaves them eligible to participate in offseason workouts and preseason games.
“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 and will work with both players to ensure they understand the severity of these violations and have clarity on the league rules moving forward.”
Alliance Sports, who represents Jameson, said his violation wasn’t for betting on football, but the fact he placed a non-NFL bet from an NFL facility.
“Jameson would never intentionally jeopardize the integrity of the game he loves so much and looks forward to getting back to his team as soon as possible,” the agency said.
Ridley, then a member of the Atlanta Falcons, missed the 2022 season. He was reinstated last month. Moore, Cephus, and Toney can apply for reinstatement after the upcoming season.
In December, New York Jets wide receivers coach Miles Austin was also suspended indefinitely for violating the league’s gambling policy.
The NFL had long fought against the expansion of legalized gambling before that fight effectively ended when the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) five years ago.
The league signed its first deals with sportsbook operators in April 2021. Currently, the NFL has partnerships with Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, FOX Bet, PointsBet, and WynnBet.
At last month’s owners’ meeting, owners voted to allow game-day betting at sportsbooks located within NFL stadiums.
