The Houston Texans are a team that has not yet been hit by the NFL’s crackdown on players gambling, and DeMeco Ryans made it clear why: there’s nothing to gain.
“I tell guys it’s best to just stay away from it, right?” Ryans said, as reported by Yahoo Sports. “What are you gaining versus gambling on games versus what do you stand to lose with your NFL career? It’s not worth it. So, my advice to our guys is just stay away from it. Nothing to gain.”
The NFL is sponsored by a myriad of gambling and fantasy football sites, but rules against athletes placing bets are strict. The April suspension of C.J. Moore, Quintez Cephus, Stanley Berryhill, Jameson Williams and Shaka Toney is a keen example.
“We’ve seen the penalties that have come down on some of these players,” Ryans said. “I’ve met with our players, had meetings. We discussed the gambling, making sure they understand the gambling policy, what we can and cannot do as players, also as employees of the NFL.”
Bingo. That statement at the eclipse of Ryan’s gambling nugget. All players and personnel involved with the Texans are employees of the NFL or at least answer to the league’s regulations.
Ryans noted his message about gambling while making it known that gambling is “prevalent across the league.” As someone who’s played or coached in the NFL since 2006, he has the credentials to make such a damning statement.
As gambling becomes legal in more states and the popularity of sports betting continues to sweep the NFL, know the Texans’ head man wants zero part of it.
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