In a stunning turn of events, the NFL has managed to avoid any violations of its gambling policy in 2024, a stark contrast to the 10 players who were suspended for such infractions the previous year. The league’s relentless education efforts seem to have paid off, as players seem to have a clearer understanding of the rules. However, there was a close call this offseason that raised eyebrows.
New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers made a startling revelation on “The Pivot” podcast, admitting that he had a $10,000 bet with his former college teammate and current Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels on who would win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. This type of wager goes against league rules, prompting Nabers to quickly rescind the bet.
“I’m educated now that I got here about sports betting and gambling,” Nabers explained. “We’re calling the bet off. There is no bet now. It was just another brother pushing another brother to try to get to success. That’s all it was.”
The league took immediate action to address the situation, ensuring that both Nabers and Daniels underwent additional training sessions to reinforce their knowledge of the rules.
“The league addressed the matter directly with the NFL Players Association, with the two teams, and the two players, to ensure that they understood the policy,” stated NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller. “They received multiple education training sessions since that time, and I think we’re in a — as a result of all the work that went into it — we’re comfortable with the resolution.”
As part of their ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of the game, the NFL recently issued a memo outlining six key rules for players to follow regarding gambling. It serves as a reminder that the league takes these matters seriously and will continue to uphold its standards to protect the game we all love.