Jameson Williams, 4 Other NFL Players Suspended for Gambling

On Friday, Jameson Williams and four other NFL players were suspended for violating the NFL's anti-gambling rules. This isn't the first time an NFL player has been suspended for gambling, following Calvin Ridley's season-long suspension last year. Four of the five players were Detroit Lions, and a few were suspended indefinitely, while Williams was suspended for six games. Here's what happened, and what it means going forward.

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Five NFL players suspended for betting, including Detroit Lions' Jameson Williams 

Four Detroit Lions players were among five NFL players that were suspended by the NFL for violating the league's gambling policy. This news comes after an investigation by the league concluded showing that a few players had bet on NFL games, and a few had bet on other sports inside team facilities.

Rap: Jameson Williams suspended 6 games for violation of NFL’s gambling policy.

— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) April 21, 2023

Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus and safety CJ Moore were suspended indefinitely, along with Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney, as they were the three players found guilty of betting on NFL games. They must apply for reinstatement after a full year to re-join the league, and the two Lions players have already been released.

The biggest name involved is Jameson Williams, a second-year wide receiver with big potential who was in line for a starting role with Detroit. Williams and fellow Lions wide receiver Stanley Berryhill received six-game suspensions for mobile betting that occurred at the Lions' facility in Allen Park. It has been announced that WIlliams and Berryhill definitively did not bet on NFL games.

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According to league policy, NFL players and personnel are not permitted to bet on NFL games, or any league-related activities under any circumstances. In addition, they are not allowed to place a bet while at a team facility or while traveling with the team.

This comes on the heels of Atlanta Falcons' wide receiver Calvin Ridley completing a year-long suspension last season. While the other three suspensions make sense based on Ridley's precedent, Williams and Berryhill's suspensions are unique in nature.

Calvin Ridley rn https://t.co/td7LyLG9A0 pic.twitter.com/Gk5xQu5Nno

— Dimers.com (@DimersCom) April 21, 2023

Their bets were placed in Michigan, a state where betting is legal, at a facility that is partially funded through a partnership with WynnBet. NFL rules are NFL rules, but had these players placed these exact bets at home instead of in the team facility, there would have been no issue whatsoever.

The NFL has come under fire for plenty of controversy in recent years - with legal trouble plaguing superstar players and inconsistency in league rulings on suspension length.

It's hard to believe the legal act of betting on non-NFL sports is worth a six-game suspension when similar punishments have been handed out for assault crimes.

This news comes as a big blow to the Detroit Lions' hopes for a playoff spot this season. As one of the most exciting young teams in the league, they will look to build on a strong finish to the end of last season. DraftKings currently offers the Lions to win the Super Bowl at +2500 odds if you are still a believer.

I stand with y’all @bigsgjamo pic.twitter.com/s7MaVJtff5

— Greg Waddell (@gwizzy12) April 21, 2023

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