The NFL announced significant changes to its gambling policies on Friday afternoon.
Per ESPN, the new gambling policy includes amended rules that allow Detroit Lions’ second-year wide receiver Jameson Williams to return in Week 5. Williams was previously handed a six-game suspension for violating the league’s violence policy).
The new policy, via ESPN, states that any player who places a wager involving his team will be handed a minimum two-year suspension. Any other bets on NFL contests will carry an automatic one-year ban.
The other significant adjustment? A player will get a two-game suspension if they bet on a non-NFL sporting event “while at a team facility or on team-related travel”, ESPN noted. A second offense will result in a six-game suspension, and a third will carry a full one-year ban.
NFL Network’s Judy Battista shared a part of the memo on the gambling policy changes:
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Williams and current Jacksonville Jaguars’ star Calvin Ridley are the two most notable NFLers who were suspended for gambling violations. Ahead of the 2022 season, Ridley was handed a one-year suspension while he was a member of the Atlanta Falcons. He was subsequently traded to the Jaguars and reinstated ahead of the 2023 season.
The Lions are off to a promising 3-1 start following a statement road win against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. With Williams back, the NFC North leaders just got a whole lot scarier on offense.
