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The first major stumble for an American pro sports league in the legalized gambling era came Friday, when the NFL announced that five players — including a former Arizona Wildcat — were being suspended for violating the league’s policy against gambling on league games.
Quintez Cephus and C.J. Moore of the Detroit Lions, and Shaka Toney of the Washington Commanders, were suspended indefinitely through at least the end of the 2023 season for betting on NFL games in the 2022 season. They are allowed to petition for reinstatement at season’s end, but both Lions players were released after the suspensions were announced.
Stanley Berryhill III, a wide receiver who played 41 games at UA and was a All-Pac-12 selection, and Jameson Williams — both of the Lions — were suspended for the team’s first six regular season games in 2023. They are eligible to participate in offseason and preseason activities, including games. Their suspensions will take effect at the final roster cutdown. The NFL did not specify what activities led to their suspensions.
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Berryhill was undrafted in 2022 and was signed as a free agent by Atlanta, who cut him late in training camp. He was signed to the Cardinals’ practice squad in September, was released a month later, and was picked up by the Lions, where he appeared in four games.
The five suspensions announced on Friday matches the total number of players suspended by the NFL in the league’s history. The most famous suspensions came in 1963 to Lions defensive lineman Alex Karras and Packers running back Paul Hornung, both of whom were suspended for one year. Both stars were eventually elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but had to wait decades for the honor.
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© Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports Cardinals defensive back Josh Shaw looks on before a preseason game Aug. 8 at State Farm Stadium.
Since then, the three other players suspended were rookie Colts quarterback Art Schlichter in 1983, former Cardinals safety Josh Shaw in 2019 and now-Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley last year. He was with the Falcons at the time of his suspension, acquired by Jacksonville in the interim and was reinstated in March.
The NFL’s gambling policy prohibits anyone in the league from engaging in any form of gambling in any team or NFL facility or venue, and is reviewed annually with all NFL personnel. The league said its investigation did not uncover any evidence indicating inside information was used for gambling, or that any game was compromised in any way.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former UA star among 5 suspended by NFL for violating gambling policy