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The Pittsburgh Steelers are scheduled to play the Indianapolis Colts in week 15 of the upcoming season.
Two teams that the media isn’t exactly bullish on in terms of playoff odds, the matchup could be critical, as the two make a late-season push for the postseason.
But following the latest name to be thrown into the ring of NFL gambling violations, that competition may have just swung in favor of the Steelers.
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The NFL has been cracking down on players gambling dating back to last season when then-Falcons star now-turned Jaguar wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended indefinitely for violating the league’s gambling policy.
Apparently, players didn’t learn their lesson though, as we found out that a slew of Detroit Lions, including highly anticipated first-round draft pick Jameson Williams would be suspended for breaking the same rules.
But according to reports, we then heard that the crackdown was far from over, with more suspensions to be handed out and fines to be levied.
And that has come true, with Isaiah Rodgers of the Indianapolis Colts as the next name to get called to the principles office.
Addressing the current reports, I want to take full responsibility for my actions. I know I have made mistakes and I am willing to do whatever it takes to repair the situation, Rodgers wrote. The last thing I ever wanted to do was be a distraction to the Colts organization, my coaches, and my teammates. I’ve let people down that I care about. I made an error and judgment and I am going to work hard to make sure that those mistakes are rectified through this process. It’s an honor to play in the NFL and I have never taken that lightly. I am very sorry for all of this.
Unlike the aforementioned players that faced Punishment from the league, this situation may create a greater reaction from the league office, with some even reporting the potential of a lifetime ban for the 25-year-old corner:
Rodgers’s allegedly “pervasive” gambling violations, reportedly including wagers involving the Colts, could be enough for the Commissioner to decide to give him the gambling policy’s version of the death penalty.
Permanent banishment, wrote Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
For the Steelers, this won’t drastically change the gameplan, but Rodgers has played in double digits games every year of his career and is coming off a career-high nine starts in 2022, doubling as a corner and return specialist for the Colts.
At only 25 years old and approaching a contract year, Rodgers’ future has now been turned on its head. The former sixth-round pick seems optimistic about his likelihood of returning to the NFL, but something tells me Roger Goodell and the league office has other plans.
Featured image via: © Robert Scheer/IndyStar, Indianapolis Star via Imagn Content Services, LLC