NFL suspends five players for betting

CJ Moore (Alexander Jonesi, Wikimedia Commons)

According to Eric Woodyard of ESPN on Friday, five National Football League players have been suspended for betting. Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus of Macon, Georgia, Lions safety C.J. Moore of Bassfield, Mississippi and Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania have been suspended a minimum of one year for betting on NFL games. Meanwhile, Lions wide receivers Jameson Williams of St. Louis, Missouri and Stanley Berryhill of Tucson, Arizona have each been suspended six games for betting at a Lions training facility, however there is no evidence at this time that they bet on NFL games, only that they were involved in mobile betting.

The five suspensions came after Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley of Fort Lauderdale, Florida was suspended a full season for betting on NFL games. During the suspension, Ridley was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Since the end of the 2022 NFL season, Ridley has been reinstated for the 2023 NFL season.

Moore, Cephus and Toney are able to apply for reinstatement after one year, like Ridley was able to do. Moore has the most NFL experience among the five. In 56 games NFL games since 2019, Moore has 48 combined tackles (29 solo tackles and 19 assisted tackles), two quarterback hits, one interception for 21 yards, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.

In 22 games with the Lions since 2020, Cephuis has 37 catches for 568 yards and four touchdowns. Toney has 16 combined tackles (six solo tackles and 10 assisted tackles), three quarterback hits, two tackles for a loss, and 1.5 sacks with the Commanders since 2021. Williams had one catch for 41 yards and one touchdown, and one rush for 40 yards in 2022. Berryhill played in four games for the Lions in 2022 and had one solo tackle.

Were these suspensions too steep?

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