(GoRealNewsNow.com) – On Friday, the NFL acknowledged another big scandal hit it as it disclosed disciplinary actions for five players due to gambling violations.
Four Detroit Lions players — wide receivers Jameson Williams, Stanley Berryhill, Quintez Cephus, and safety C.J. Moore — and Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney were suspended for breaking the league’s gambling rules, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
Williams and Berryhill received six-game suspensions, while Moore, Cephus, and Toney were suspended indefinitely (at least one year).
Rapoport reported that the three players suspended indefinitely all bet on NFL games.
In a statement, the league said, “A league review uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way.”
Although Williams and Berryhill gambled on college football games — which is technically allowed — they did so at a team facility, resulting in a slightly shorter, six-game suspension.
This news follows star Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley’s recent completion of a year-long suspension for allegedly betting around $1,500 on NFL games while he was away from the team. Ridley was a member of the Falcons at the time.
The NFL is clearly taking gambling violations seriously, handing out lengthy suspensions to those who break the rules.
The Lions promptly released Cephus and Moore, who received indefinite suspensions.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes said, “These players exhibited decision making that is not consistent with our organizational values and violates league rules. 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 well-known of the suspended players. The Lions traded up to No. 12 in the 2022 NFL Draft to select the former Alabama wide receiver, who had suffered a torn ACL in the national championship game and missed much of the season. He only appeared in six games and caught one pass — a 41-yard touchdown.
Williams’ agent released a statement on Friday:
“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 jeopardize the integrity of the game he loves so much and looks forward to getting back to his team as soon as possible.”
Between 2020 and 2022, Cephus appeared in 22 games for the Lions, catching 37 passes for 568 yards and four touchdowns. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 draft from Wisconsin.
Berryhill participated in four games, primarily on special teams. Moore, a safety, alternated between the Lions’ practice squad and the main roster, with a stint with the Texans in between.
Toney, a seventh-round pick in 2021, recorded 1.5 sacks over two seasons in Washington.
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