The NFL’s gambling policy strictly prohibits anyone in the league from getting involved in betting. However, seemingly the players are showcasing little interest in the policy and breaking the rule frequently. The Denver Broncos defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike is the latest one to be included in the notorious list.
Uwazurike headed to the league after getting drafted as the fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and within this short period, he got involved in one of the most disgusting acts in the sports world. It marks him as the 10th active player in national football to be suspended this offseason for gambling on matches or betting on other sports.
NFL suspends Broncos’ Eyioma Uwazurike indefinitely for violating gambling laws
According to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, Eyioma got suspended from the NFL indefinitely for betting on the league’s games in 2022. The suspension will count for at least one year and he wouldn’t be eligible for a petition for reinstatement before July 2024.
Eyioma Uwazurike will be suspended for at least 1 year. pic.twitter.com/thy6y2NglW
— theScore (@theScore) July 24, 2023
The Broncos released a statement following the announcement, saying they are aware of the process and promised to ensure all the required things to comply with the betting rule.
“Our organization fully cooperated with this investigation and takes matters pertaining to the integrity of the game very seriously. The Denver Broncos will continue to provide all members of our organization with the necessary education, resources and support to ensure compliance with the NFL’s gambling policy.”
Besides Denver’s defensive end, free agent offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson also got suspended for the first three games of the 2023 regular season, albeit the reason behind it is still unknown.
NFL fans’ reaction to Broncos’ Eyioma Uwazurike suspension
As usual, the NFL community would sit with popcorn to analyze the matter and we got some highlighted reactions among them.
A user exclaimed why the players get involved in gambling when they know the consequences they would have to face after getting revealed.
Why do players constantly gamble if they see every single person get fat suspensions for it I don’t understand
— garrett (@jalenreagors) July 24, 2023
A netizen took a dig at Deshaun Watson saying Uwazurike got slapped with at least one-year suspension while Deshaun got just a half-season suspension after being accused of raping a woman.
but deshaun gets half a season for raping women
— ❁ (@_Analyst__) July 24, 2023
Another user said the decision was “harsh” for a rookie player.
Kinda harsh
— Mountain Lover🇦🇫🇺🇸 (@seminoleraider) July 24, 2023
The NFL prohibits players from betting “at a team’s facility, including its hotel during road trips; from having others make bets for them; from entering a sportsbook facility; and from playing daily fantasy football.”
However, many netizens also bashed the NFL saying the league itself promotes gambling sites and has betting spots in the stadiums as well as claimed the players themselves should sue the league for its hypocrisy.
Maybe they should stop advertising gambling sites and having gambling spots in the stadiums. This is the most hypocritical thing. Players should start to sue the league for a double standard.
— Diamond Jay😎👨🏻🦼🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@DiamondJay44) July 24, 2023
It remains to be seen what awaits Eyioma in the future. After getting drafted last year, it seems he is off the team for good. What’s your take on this? Do you think that the league imposed a brutal punishment on the youngster? Or do you think that the punishment was justified?
