After it came to light that an NFL player reportedly gambled away $8m in 2022, people have expressed concerns about how much others might also be losing. NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk (PFT) first reported about the unnamed player’s losses, citing a league source. It is unclear if this player wagered on NFL games and/or if he was one of the individuals who already received a betting-related suspension this year.
Players are permitted to bet on non-NFL sporting events, as long as they don’t do so from a team facility or while traveling with their team. Retired quarterback Chris Simms appeared on PFT Live this week, expressing concerns that young players who might have recently gotten their hands on significant sums of money after reaching the pros and could be losing large chunks of it gambling.
busy educating their players about the dangers of engaging in gambling
Coaches across the league have been busy educating their players about the dangers of engaging in gambling. Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley, who missed all of last season due to a gambling-related suspension, warned his fellow players about how seriously the league takes any infractions.