Three players handed season-long suspensions for gambling violations
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[June 30, 2023]
(Reuters) -Isaiah Rodgers and Rashod Berry of the
Indianapolis Colts and free agent Demetrius Taylor have been
suspended for at least the 2023 season for betting on NFL games, the
league said on Thursday.
The three players, who all bet on National Football League games
during the 2022 season, may petition for reinstatement after the
2023 campaign, the league said in a statement.
Shortly after the NFL announced the suspensions, the Colts waived
defensive end Berry and cornerback Rodgers.
"We have made the following roster moves as a consequence of the
determination that these players violated the league’s gambling
policy," said Colts General Manager Chris Ballard.
"The integrity of the game is of the utmost importance. As an
organization we will continue to educate our players, coaches, and
staff on the policies in place and the significant consequences that
may occur with violations."
In addition, Nicholas Petit-Frere of the Tennessee Titans was
suspended for his team's first six regular season games for betting
on non-NFL sports at the club facility.
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"We have been made aware of Nick's suspension by the league. We
believe in Nick and know that he has deep respect for the integrity
of the game and our organization," the Titans said in a statement.
"We will continue to emphasize to our players the importance of
understanding and adhering to league rules and policies."
Petit-Frere, coming off a rookie campaign during which he started in
all but one of the Titans 17 games, is eligible to participate in
all offseason and preseason activities.
The NFL's gambling policy prohibits anyone in the league from
engaging in any form of gambling in any club or league facility or
venue, including the practice facility.
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![](../images/063023PIX/sports53.jpg)
Aug 12, 2022; Jacksonville, Florida,
USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) looks to pass
the ball as Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Rashod Berry (56)
defends during the third quarter of a preseason game at TIAA Bank
Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports/File
Photo
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Petit-Frere, in a statement to ESPN, said the
betting he engaged in was legal under Tennessee law and was only
being sanctioned because it occurred at the Titans facility.
"I have always strived in every stage of my life to follow the
rules," Petit-Frere said in the statement.
"I did not knowingly break the rules. Even after attending a league
presentation, I was unaware about the specifics around placing bets
from a team facility."
Rodgers, who was taken by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2020
NFL Draft, has played 45 games during three seasons with the club.
Berry broke into the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and
played eight games over parts of two seasons.
Taylor signed with Detroit as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and
the defensive tackle played one game with the Lions before the team
released him in May.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Ken Ferris and
Toby Davis)
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