Washington legend Joe Theismann wants the league to “protect the integrity of the game.”
Theismann jumped on FOX Business with Stuart Varney to discuss the problem of NFL player’s gambling, which resulted in five-player suspensions in April, with many reports suggesting that there could be more to come.
“It better work,” Theismann told Varney on FOX Business on Thursday. “I think the NFL – because of the stringent nature of these rules that have been put in place – realizes that you just don’t want to let anything seep into the game to give people the perception that the games are fixed, they’re really trying to make sure of that.”
The NFL announced last week that the league would be implementing mandatory education sessions for players to properly enforce these policies.
The league has made its policies clear at this point.
- Don’t bet on the NFL.
- Don’t gamble at your team facility or while traveling with the team.
- Don’t have someone bet for you.
- Don’t share “inside information.”
- Don’t enter a sportsbook during the playing season and don’t participate in daily fantasy football.
“From an NFL player standpoint, you think of the millions of dollars that the players are making,” former NFL MVP and Super Bowl winner, Theismann continued. “If you wanted to go into a facility, I guess in the offseason, it might be okay. But I don’t think they’re going to say if you play in the NFL, you can’t gamble. But they certainly want to protect the integrity of the game as much as they possibly can. And I can certainly understand it.”
Theismann could also be seen in 2021 at the opening of the MGM National Harbor in December 2021, placing what turned out to be one of the state’s first bets after sports wagering was legalized.
Betting on the NFL?
He is not the only former player to voice concerns about long-term issues with player gambling.
Superstar quarterback Tom Brady also gave his warning to NFL players while his former coach, Bill Belichick, and Commanders coach Ron Rivera issued dire warnings of their own.
This comes as one former player reportedly lost $8 million gambling during the 2022 NFL season.