The NFL announced Saturday (all times AEST) discipline for five players due to gambling infractions.
Four Detroit Lions players — wide receivers Jameson Williams, Stanley Berryhill and Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore — along with Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney were suspended for violating the league’s gambling policy, according to the NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
Williams and Berryhill are suspended for six games, while Moore, Cephus and Toney were suspended indefinitely (at least one year).
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Week 17
The news comes as star Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley just finished up a year-long suspension for allegedly placing bets worth around $1,500 on NFL games while he was away from the team. Ridley was a member of the Falcons at the time. Clearly, the league is cracking down on violations, and is not afraid to dish out long suspensions on anyone who may decide to place bets on games. Cephus and Moore, two of the players hit with indefinite bans, were both immediately cut by the Lions in the wake of the news. “These players exhibited decision making that is not consistent with our organisational values and violates league rules,” Lions general manager Brad Holmes said in a statement. “We have made the decision to part ways with Quintez and C.J. immediately. We are disappointed by the decision making demonstrated by Stanley and Jameson and will work with both players to ensure they understand the severity of these violations and have clarity on the league rules moving forward.” Williams, 22, is the most notable of the players to be included in the suspension. The Lions traded up to No. 12 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft to select the former Alabama wide receiver, who suffered a torn ACL in the national championship game and missed a good chunk of the season. He only appeared in six games and caught one total pass — a 41-yard touchdown. Williams’ agent released a statement on Saturday. “Alliance Sports confirms that its client, Jameson Williams, has been suspended by the NFL for six games for violating the NFL’s gambling policy,” the statement read. “Jameson takes full responsibility for his actions and is very apologetic to the NFL, his teammates and the fans and city of Detroit. However, it is important to note that Jameson’s violation was not for betting on football but rather due to a technical rule regarding the actual location in which the online bet was placed — and which would otherwise be allowed by the NFL outside of the club’s facility. Jameson would never intentionally jeopardise the integrity of the game he loves so much and looks forward to getting back to his team as soon as possible.” Cephus appeared in 22 games for the Lions between 2020 and 2022, catching 37 passes for 568 yards and four touchdowns in that span. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 draft out of Wisconsin. Berryhill appeared in four games, with much of his action being on special teams. Moore, a safety, has bounced between the Lions’ practice squad and main roster, with a stint with the Texans in between. Toney, a seventh-round pick in 2021, has logged 1.5 sacks through two seasons in Washington. -This story was first published in the New York Post and reproduced with permission.
