Report Suggests NFL Colts’ Isaiah Rodgers May Face Suspension

The ongoing expansion of legal sports betting across the United States continues to spark debate and raise concerns about the integrity of professional sports leagues. At the same time, sports leagues such as the National Football League (NFL), closely monitor the activities of their players to ensure that they adhere to the established regulations involving sports betting. But while the majority of the players do not breach sports betting rules established by the NFL, there were several such cases in the last few months.

Earlier this month, media reports revealed that NFL opened an investigation into Isaiah Rodgers, the famous kick returner and cornerback from the Indianapolis Colts. The League suspected him of violating the established rules related to gambling.

At the time, the player went on social media and said that he is prepared to take responsibility for his actions. “The last thing I ever wanted to do was to be a distraction to the Colts organization, my coaches, and my teammates. I’ve let people down that I care about,” wrote Rodgers.

Now, a new report released by ESPN on Wednesday suggests that Rodgers may be subject to a season-long suspension over allegedly breaching NFL’s rules related to gambling. In addition to the Colts’ player, other NFL players may also be affected by such suspensions enforced by the League, the new report suggests. The identities of the other NFL players that may be affected by a suspension related to gambling breaches are yet to be confirmed. The NFL is yet to release an official statement on the topic.

The League Plans to Strengthen Compliance with Gambling Policies

The latest announcement comes at a time when the NFL confirmed plans to strengthen education and prevent gambling-related violations. This comes in the context of one NFL player that last month claimed that he was unaware of the League’s gambling policies. Strengthening the compliance of the players, the NFL unveiled six primary rules that athletes need to follow. The first and major rule prohibits athletes from wagering on NFL games, while the second restricts them from gambling while traveling for a game, staying at a hotel with their team or while being present at a team facility.

Additional rules restrict athletes from disclosing insider information and prohibit them from asking third parties to place wagers on their behalf. The NFL rules also restrict players from accessing retail betting outlets throughout the NFL season and do not allow them to engage in daily fantasy football games.