Three players handed season-long suspensions for gambling violations

 

[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.

"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.

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

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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