Five NFL players were suspended by the league on Friday for violating the NFL’s gambling policy, three of them banned indefinitely for betting on NFL games and two others hit with six-game bans.
The league issued indefinite bans, through at least the 2023 season, on Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore as well as Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney for betting upon NFL games during the 2022 season.
“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.
Following that NFL investigation, the league also handed down six-game bans to Lions wide receivers Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill.
The probe found Williams and Berryhill gambled at a Lions facility but not on NFL contests.
NFL gambling rules forbid anyone in the NFL from engaging in any form of gambling at any club or league facility or venue, including the practice facility.
The Lions announced that Cephus and Moore have been released.
“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.”
Cephus, Moore and Toney are banned through at least the conclusion of the 2023 NFL season. They can petition for reinstatement following the 2023 campaign.
Williams and Berryhill will miss the first six games of the 2023 season.
Berryhill and Williams can take part in off-season and pre-season workouts with the Lions before their suspension, which begins with the final roster cutdown to 53 players before September’s start of the 2023 campaign.
“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,” Holmes said.
