NFL suspends five players, including four Lions, for breaking its gambling rules.
The NFL punished five players for violating the league’s gambling policy on Friday, including four Detroit Lions.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport said that the league suspended Lions receivers Jameson Williams, Quintez Cephus, Stanley Berryhill, and safety C.J. Moore, as well as Washington Commanders defensive tackle Shaka Toney.
Williams and Berryhill both received a six-game penalty. Cephus, Moore, and Toney were all suspended indefinitely and may ask for reinstatement after the 2023 season.
The NFL eventually confirmed the suspensions.
“A league review uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way,” according to a statement released by the league.
The NFL’s gambling policy prohibits anybody from gambling in any club or league facility or venue, including the practice facility, according to the league.
The Lions stated on Friday that they had released Cephus and Moore after their suspensions.
“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 athletes made decisions that are inconsistent with our organizational principles and breach league rules. We have decided to split ways with Quintez and C.J. immediately. We are disturbed by Stanley and Jameson’s decision-making, and we will work with both players to ensure they understand the gravity of these transgressions and have clarity on league rules moving forward.”
The suspensions are the first gambling-related bans imposed on athletes since the NFL banned Calvin Ridley for the 2022 season. The NFL reinstated the Jacksonville Jaguars receiver this offseason.
According to the Lions, Williams and Berryhill’s suspensions are the result of wagering on non-NFL games at an NFL facility. Both receivers can participate in offseason and preseason activities prior to their suspensions, which begin on the final roster cutdown day.
“Jameson takes full responsibility for his actions and is very apologetic to the NFL, his teammates, the fans, and the city of Detroit,” Williams’ representative, Alliance Sports, said in a statement on Friday. “However, it is important to note that Jameson’s violation was not for betting on football, but for a technical rule regarding the actual location in which the online bet was placed — which would otherwise be permitted by the NFL outside of the club’s facility.” Jameson would never knowingly damage the purity of the game he adores, and he eagerly awaits the opportunity to rejoin his team.
Williams’ suspension is the most serious blow to the Lions.
Detroit traded up to draft the former Alabama receiver in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, despite Williams’ injured ACL. The Lions made the pick in the hopes that he would be fully prepared for the 2023 season. Following a six-game suspension, the plan has been put on hold until October.
In six 2022 games, Williams grabbed one of nine targets for a 41-yard score. He also had one carry for 40 yards.
With Williams’ suspension, veteran Marvin Jones Jr., who joined in Detroit after two years in Jacksonville, will likely play a larger part in the offense to begin the season, alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds. Following Williams’ six-game suspension, the Lions could look to the 2023 NFL Draft to improve the receiving position.
Cephus, a former fifth-round pick, appeared in 22 games for the Lions over three seasons. He played in only four games in 2022 due to a leg ailment and was slated to compete for a roster position before being released. Berryhill, an undrafted free agent, appeared in four games for Detroit last season, primarily on special teams. Moore, an undrafted free agent in 2019, spent four seasons with the Lions, playing 56 games as a rotational safety.
Toney, Washington’s seventh-round pick in 2021, has appeared in 26 games for the Commanders, recording 16 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
“We have been notified of Shaka Toney’s suspension,” the Commanders announced in a team statement on Friday. “We have fully cooperated with the NFL’s investigation since receiving notification and strongly support the league’s conclusions and measures. All future concerns about the subject should be directed to the NFL League Office.”
