With one Indianapolis Colts player under investigation by the NFL for gambling, one of his teammates is speaking out.
After reports indicated the league was looking into a player for “pervasive” sports betting, cornerback Isaiah Rodgers responded on social media and took “responsibility” for his alleged actions.
But after an NFL representative visited the Colts’ facility this week to discuss the league’s gambling policy, linebacker E.J. Speed discussed his opinions on sports betting as a whole, Fox 59 reported.
“What I got from those sessions was: ‘Don’t gamble,’ ’’ Speed told the station on Wednesday. “That’s all I got. They made it apparent … what you’re allowed to do and what you shouldn’t. It’s a hard topic to speak on right now because how sensitive it is around the league.”
“Right now, I would just encourage anybody: Just don’t gamble. It’s not worth it.’’
The visit to the Colts already was scheduled before the investigation into Rodgers, according to Fox 59.
© Provided by New York Post
Indianapolis Colts linebacker E.J. Speed spoke out about gambling.AP
The Sports Handle reported Monday that a Colts player had made “hundreds” of bets — at least some were on Indianapolis — while ESPN later reported that Rodgers was the player in question.
“I want to take full responsibility for my actions,” Rodgers wrote in a social media post after the reports came out. “I know I have made mistakes, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to repair the situation. The last thing I ever wanted to do was to be a distraction to the Colts organization, my coaches, and my teammates. I’ve let people down that I care about.”
Colts head coach Shane Steichen, according to Fox 59, said he wanted to keep things “internal” about the investigation and did not comment further.
Players — and all league personnel — cannot place bets on NFL games or any league functions like the draft, but they are allowed to participate in sports betting outside of the league if it does not happen on a team facility or while traveling with their club.
© Provided by New York Post
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers admitted to mistakes he made in a social media post.AP
Lions players Jameson Williams, Stanley Berryhill and Quintez Cephus, C.J. Moore and Shaka Toney of the Commanders were all handed suspensions in April for violating the NFL’s gambling policy.
Moore, Cephus and Toney received indefinite suspensions, meaning they will sit out at least one year.
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley missed all of the 2022 season when he was suspended for betting on NFL games.
Depending on how the league’s investigation shakes out, Rodgers could end up having a lengthy suspension of his own.
Speed, on the other, hand, enters his fifth year in the league after recording a career-high 63 combined tackles in 2022.