Having been caught ‘red-handed’ the Colts player was always going to face some kind of sanction, however, it’s now clear the league has chosen to make an example of him and a few others as it continues to clamp down on gambling violations.
Colts’ Isaiah Rodgers and others suspended indefinitely
It was just a few weeks ago that the NFL announced a new set of guidelines to help players understand exactly what the do’s and don’ts are when it comes to its stance on gambling amongst players. With that, it was made clear that there would be no tolerance for violations of the league’s gambling policy. Unfortunately for the Colts, a select group players happened to be under investigation for such violations at the time. According to reports, investigations have now ended, and with that punishment has been dealt to the offending parties.
Indianapolis Colts veteran cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, Colts defensive end Rashod Berry, and free agent defensive lineman Demetrius Taylor have all been handed indefinite suspensions as part of the NFL’s latest investigation into gambling allegations according to an official announcement from the league on Thursday. Where specific allegations are concerned, it is understood that Rodgers, Berry, and Taylor were all found guilty of placing bets on NFL games during the 2022 season. Though they are in fact eligible to petition the league for reinstatement at the completion of the 2023 season, it matters little now as both Rodgers and Berryhill were waived almost immediately after the news was announced.
Gambling sanctions have been a long time coming in the NFL
It’s worth noting that while the Colts’ trio monopolized the headlines, there were others who were punished for their troubles as well. Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere was also suspended on Thursday for six games. The softer sanction was due to the fact that he bet on non-NFL sports while at the Titans facility. As per the league’s gambling policy, no employee of the NFL can gamble while physically present at any of the league’s facilities.
Ultimately, the reports follow on from what has been an increasingly firmer stance that the league has taken on the topic of gambling. Just a year ago former Falcons and current Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for all of 2022 due to bets placed on NFL games. Since then, there have been nice subsequent suspensions of players during this offseason, including Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams. As for Rodgers, the fourth-year cornerback and kick returner for the Colts seemingly accepted “full responsibility” for his alleged gambling shortly afterward, apologizing via social media. To be clear, Rodgers will now miss the entirety of the 2023 season. Remember, the NFL does not allow players to bet on any NFL games, to place bets on any other sports from team facilities or hotels, to have others place bets for them – Rodgers allegedly had someone bet for him – to share “inside information” pertaining to bets, to partake in daily fantasy football, or to enter a sportsbook during the season.