DENVER – The NFL suspended Denver Broncos defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike indefinitely Monday for betting on league games in the 2022 season.
Uwazurike, a fourth-round draft pick from Iowa State in 2022 who played eight games as a rookie, becomes the tenth player this offseason be banned for gambling or wagering on other sports in the NFL locker rooms. He can apply for reinstatement on July 24, 2024 at the earliest.
“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 education, resources and support to ensure compliance with NFL gaming policies.”
NFL players and personnel are prohibited from playing at NFL facilities, disclosing non-public NFL information, participating in sports betting during the NFL season, or having social, business, or personal relationships with sports players.
They are permitted to place non-sports bets on their free time, including during the season, in legally operated casinos and horse or dog tracks.
The rules have been in place for years, but the league is taking action against violations as sports gambling becomes legal in more states.
Former Indianapolis cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, linebacker Rashod Berry and free agent Demetrius Taylor were all suspended indefinitely last month for betting on NFL games last year. The Colts waived Rodgers and Berry after their suspensions.
Tennessee forward Nicholas Petie-Frere was suspended for the first six games of the regular season for betting on non-NFL sports at the club’s 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 guidelines.
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 playing in NFL games; He was later transferred from Atlanta to Jacksonville and eventually reinstated. In November 2019, Arizona Cardinals cornerback Josh Shaw was suspended for gambling at an NFL game; He hasn’t played in the league since then.
Causes of gambling suspensions range from players placing bets on their own teams without participating to players who have violated the league’s ban on betting on non-NFL sports while at club property.
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