NFL suspends five players, four Detroit Lions, for gambling violations

Not the best news to start the weekend if you’re NFL or Detroit Lions fans.

The league office has announced that five players, including four members of the Lions, have been suspended for violations of the league’s gambling policy Friday. The NFL has suspended Detroit wide receivers Jameson Williams, Quintez Cephus, Stanley Berryhill and safety C.J. Moore. Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney has also been handed a suspension.

Cephus, Moore and Toney were all suspended indefinitely and can apply for reinstatement after the 2023 season. Meanwhile, Williams and Berryhill were handed a six-game ban based on the league’s investigation.

“A league review uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way,” the NFL said in a statement.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the news Friday.

The NFL has suspended 5 players for betting on games during the 2022 season:

Lions WR Jameson Williams: 6 games
Lions WR Stanley Berryhill: 6 games
Lions S CJ Moore: Indefinitely
Lions WR Quintez Cephus: Indefinitely
Commanders DE Shaka Toney: Indefinitely

Detroit has released… pic.twitter.com/SSwEJzLtBC

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) April 21, 2023

As a result of the suspensions, the Lions have released Cephus and Moore.

“As a result of an NFL investigation, it came to our attention that a few of our players had violated the league’s gambling policy,” Lions general manager Brad Holmes said in a statement. “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.”

Per the organization, Williams and Berryhill’s suspensions stem from betting at an NFL facility on non-NFL games. The receivers can partake in offseason and preseason activities leading up to their suspensions that begin on the final roster cutdown date.

“Jameson takes full responsibility for his actions and is very apologetic to the NFL, his teammates and the fans and city of Detroit,” Williams’ agency, Alliance Sports, released in a statement Friday. “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.”

This is the first gambling-related investigation for players since the NFL banned WR Calvin Ridley for the 2022 season. The Jacksonville Jaguar has been reinstated for the 2023 season.

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