Global Courant
DENVER — The NFL on Monday suspended Denver Broncos defenseman Eyioma Uwazurike indefinitely for betting on league games during the 2022 season.
Uwazurike, a 2022 fourth round draft pick from Iowa State who played in eight games as a rookie, becomes the 10th offseason player to be suspended for betting on games or betting on other sports in the NFL locker room. He will not be eligible for a request for reassignment before July 24, 2024.
“Our organization has fully cooperated with this investigation and takes matters related to the integrity of the game very seriously,” the Broncos said in a statement. “The Denver Broncos will continue to provide all members of our organization with the necessary training, resources and support to ensure compliance with NFL gambling policies.”
NFL players and personnel may not gamble while on NFL facilities, disclose NFL non-public information, participate in a sportsbook during the NFL season, or maintain social, business, or personal relationships with sports bettors.
They are permitted to place non-sports bets in legally operated casinos and horse or dog racing tracks on their personal time, including during the season.
The rules have been in place for years, but the league is cracking down on violators as sports betting becomes legal in more states.
Former Indianapolis cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, linebacker Rashod Berry and free agent Demetrius Taylor were suspended indefinitely last month for betting on NFL games last year. The Colts waived Rodgers and Berry following their suspensions.
Tennessee offensive tackle Nicholas Petie-Frere was suspended for the first six regular season games for betting on non-NFL sports at the club facility.
In late April, the league suspended Detroit receivers Jameson Williams, Quintez Cephus, Stanley Berryhill and safety CJ Moore, and Washington defensive end Shaka Toney for violating gambling policies.
Last December, New York Jets receiver coach Miles Austin was suspended for a year for betting on non-NFL sports.
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for the entire 2022 season for gambling on NFL games; he was later traded from Atlanta to Jacksonville and eventually reinstated. In November 2019, Arizona Cardinals cornerback Josh Shaw was suspended for gambling on an NFL game; he has not played in the league since then.
The causes for gambling-related suspensions ranged from players who bet on their own teams while not participating to players who violated the league’s ban on betting on non-NFL sports while in the club facility.
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