The NFL is investigating an Indianapolis Colts player for allegedly placing bets on NFL games, including betting on his own team.
Sports betting in Indiana is legal, but the NFL bars players from placing bets on NFL games or betting from NFL facilities.
Colts player placed hundreds of sports bets
Colts cornerback and kick returner Isaiah Rodgers is the player in question. Sources told ESPN that the account Rodgers was allegedly using was opened under the name of someone Rodgers knows. Hundreds of bets were placed using the account, including bets on Colts games and other NFL games.
After initial reporting suggested it was Rodgers, the fourth-year cornerback out of UMass responded with an apology tweet Monday night.
Rodgers wrote: “I know I have made mistakes and I am willing to do whatever it takes to repair the situation. 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.
“I made an error in judgment and I am going to work hard to make sure that those mistakes are rectified through this process. It’s an honor to play in the NFL and I have never taken that lightly. I am very sorry for all of this.”
— Isaiah Rodgers Sr. (@rodgers_isaiah) June 6, 2023
Rodgers is likely to be suspended from the league for a year, like other players who placed bets on NFL games have been recently.
The Indiana Gaming Commission is aware of the issue, but Rodgers violated an NFL rule, not a law. According to ESPN, the IGC is following the situation.
“The IGC is not the lead agency on this matter, as it involves alleged violations of a league policy at this point,” Jenny Reske, deputy director at the Indiana Gaming Commission, said. “We will, however, continue to review information as it emerges to determine what, if any, regulatory actions are necessary.”
Five NFL players recently suspended for gambling
The news of Rodgers’ gambling violations comes after five NFL players were suspended in April. The NFL suspended two players from the Detroit Lions — Quintez Cephus and C.J. Moore — for at least a year for betting on NFL games. The Lions immediately released the two players. Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney was also suspended.
Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill, also of the Lions, were suspended for six games each for placing bets from NFL facilities on other leagues.
Other league personnel have also been found in violation of the rules, including four other members of the Lions organization.
Gambling caused a stir in college sports this spring
Violations like these are not limited to the NFL. The University of Alabama baseball team found itself under scrutiny last month when a gambling activity monitoring firm identified suspicious betting activity on an Alabama game vs. LSU.
A spokesperson for the Ohio Casino Control Commission told ESPN that the suspicious betting activity took place at the BetMGM Sportsbook located at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. The OCCC temporarily shut down all betting on Alabama baseball at Ohio sportsbooks in response.
Alabama’s baseball coach was later fired for, “among other things, violating the standards, duties, and responsibilities expected of University employees.”
Two University of Cincinnati assistant baseball coaches were also fired later that month for infractions reportedly involving gambling. The coaches were not accused of altering the outcomes of games, according to a report. UC’s head baseball coach later resigned.
