NFL investigating Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte after arrest for underage gambling

On Tuesday, NFL executive vice president Jeffery Miller revealed that the league is investigating New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte following his arrest for underage gambling last week. Boutte allegedly placed nearly 9,000 sports bets while under the age of 21 by using a fraudulent identity. Seventeen of those bets were on NCAA football games, while at least six were on LSU football games.

If the NFL finds that he gambled on games while with the Patriots this season, his time in the league could potentially be over. This year, the NFL made adjustments to the gambling policy, including heightening penalties for players who bet on NFL games – including the possibility of a lifetime ban.

Former Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley famously served a one-year suspension for gambling on NFL games. His punishment didn’t stop others from making the same mistake. Lions first-rounder Jameson Williams served four weeks of an initial six-week suspension this season for violating the league’s policy.

Boutte placed bets while at LSU

Boutte was apparently not very discrete with the gambling. Several accounts he used included clues to his real identity despite registering under various names, including Kayla Fortenberry.

Kayshon Boutte was a standout receiver for the Tigers from 2020-2022. He recorded 131 catches for 1,782 yards and 16 touchdowns across those three seasons.

This is not the first time Boutte has run afoul of the rules. He was also briefly suspended at LSU for taking part in an “improper benefit” while he was a student-athlete. Boutte participated in an autograph signing in the summer of 2021 along with former LSU teammate Maason Smith. That signing took place before the NCAA adopted interim NIL legislation, meaning it would constitute an “impermissible benefit.”

Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported the event could have taken place “days or weeks” before the signing would have been allowed under NCAA rules. Still, it was against NCAA rules at the time and Boutte served his suspension during the 2022 season.

Boutte went in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft following his junior season with the Tigers. Selected by the New England Patriots, he appeared in five games this season, recording two catches for 19 yards.

This is not the first gambling scandal to rock college athletics in recent years. Iowa and Iowa State still have ongoing cases. Multiple student-athletes across different sports are involved, although it should be a lengthy court case.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.