Anonymous NFL player reportedly lost $8 million gambling in 2022

With gambling in the NFL recently thrust into the spotlight again with several players receiving suspensions for betting on games, the league’s policies are coming under increased scrutiny. For instance, why the league allows players to bet on non-NFL events when it can become addictive and result in grave consequences?

According to ProFootballTalk‘s Mike Florio, one NFL player gambled away $8 million last year. A league source revealed the amount gambled to Florio, but not the name of the player.

Former player Chris Simms said on PFT Live that he believes the league lets players legally bet so that the sportsbooks can make money from the young, financially well-off men.

Each year, the NFL provides its players with information regarding its various policies, including the gambling policy. However, considering the Detroit Lions had four players suspended for violations and there is still an ongoing investigation, it doesn’t seem the message is getting through.

A week before last month’s draft, the NFL announced that five players from two teams were being suspended for gambling.

The biggest name was receiver Jameson Williams, the team’s top draft pick from 2022. He received a suspension of six games. So did fellow receiver Stanley Berryhill.

Lions re-educate players on NFL policy

Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters that the team won’t leave it up to the league this year. The team is providing its players with additional education on the policy.

“It’s much more an emphasis from us, as opposed to just leaving it to the league,” Campbell said, via Kyle Meinke. “Like, we need to make sure that we really hit this ourselves and make a point of it. We did, but obviously not enough.

“The proof’s in the pudding. So for us, let’s take it out of their hands. They will have what they do every year, but now we need to put our own emphasis on it. And I think that is the best way to do it, is to highlight it. And that is what we are trying to do.”

Jameson Williams ‘unaware’ of gambling policy

At Lions OTAs last week, Williams said the suspension caught him by surprise as the former rookie was unaware of the specific policy that he broke. He also added that he doesn’t plan to appeal his suspension.

“I just left it alone. They gave me six games and we left it at that,” Williams said. “I’m just looking forward to coming back Week 7. Getting back with my team out there, playing the game.”

Meanwhile, the league also suspended safety CJ Moore and receiver Quintez Cephus indefinitely. That means both players must miss at least one season. The Lions cut both Moore and Cephus that day. Earlier this month, Detroit then waived Berryhill.