Can NFL players gamble: What Lions players did wrong

Four Detroit Lions players and one Washington Commanders player were suspended by the NFL on Friday for violating the league's gambling policy, according to an investigation by the league.

Per ESPN, Lions WR Quintez Cephus and S C.J. Moore and Commanders DE Shaka Toney were suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games. Lions WR Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill are suspended for six games for betting on non-NFL games.

Here's a quick catchup on what's wrong, why it's wrong, and everything else you may be curious about.

What will happen to the suspended players?

There's little precedent for this, though Falcons WR Calvin Ridley was suspended for the entire 2022 season for betting, and has been reinstated for the upcoming season. There's a chance that happens for Cephus, Moore and Toney. Cephus and Moore have already been released by the Lions, though.

Why were some players suspended for longer than others?

It seems suspensions were given based on what was bet on. Those suspended for the full season bet on something having to do with the NFL. The others bet on non-NFL sports. The exacts of which wagers were placed are not known yet.

Why were Williams and Berryhill suspended for betting on other sports leagues?

Williams and Berryhill weren't guilty for what they did, rather for where they did it. Per 33rd Team's Ari Meirov, NFL players can bet on non-NFL games, just not at an NFL facility, locker room, team flight or hotel. Essentially: do it on your own time. Williams and Berryhill placed their bets at the Lions' Allen Park facility.

The players can, according to ESPN, participate in team activities, training camp and preseason.

Did anyone else get in the NFL get in trouble for sports betting?

Yeah! Several other Lions staff members were dismissed last month for violating the gambling policy, which is far stricter for NFL personnel. Per the 2018 policy, personnel can not bet on football or any other sports.