Patriots' Boutte: Gambling Addiction Nearly Cost Me My Career

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte shared that a gambling addiction threatened to derail his football career. 

Published this week in The Players’ Tribune, Boutte said the issue began in college, resulting in substantial financial setbacks and personal problems that eventually forced him to seek a resolution.

The wide receiver then explained the decision for the post, saying that while approaching his first postseason NFL game, he wanted to inspire others dealing with addiction. 

Key Takeaways 

• Patriots WR says gambling addiction cost him $90,000 and nearly ended his NFL career. 
• Mental health professionals say gambling can provide a short-term psychological escape similar to substance addiction. 
• Lawmakers and medical organizations have pointed to the rapid expansion of legalized sports betting as a factor increasing exposure and risk for problem gambling. 

In the essay, Boutte revealed that he started betting when he was injured and not playing for LSU. He was betting to deal with the sadness and loneliness he was experiencing at that time.

He revealed that he lost $90,000 and that he was in danger of not making it to the professional leagues.

"I fell in love with gambling," Boutte wrote.

"I'd wake up early in the morning, and the first thing I'd do was bet. I'd stay up late and bet. All day. All night. I had insomnia, so if I woke up in the middle of the night, phone next to the bed, I'd bet. Any little money I had, it was going straight to FanDuel."

The 23-year-old, third-year receiver said the only thing that pulled him out of his addiction was becoming healthy enough to return to the football field, and becoming a father during his junior year in college.

Boutte was later drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but his gambling issues caught up to him. He was arrested in January 2024. The chargers were dropped in July 2024.

Boutte later reiterated that gambling addiction is often misunderstood, saying, "I think what a lot of people fail to realize is addiction not always drugs and stuff like that. It can be gambling, and a lot people don't realize it until it's too late." 

Mental health counselor Gregory Bacos said gambling can activate reward responses much like the way drugs do for some individuals, offering temporary relief from emotional distress. He added that public disclosures by professional athletes can reduce stigma and encourage treatment.  

Data from the American Medical Association showed online searches for gambling addiction help increased 23% following the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that allowed states to legalize sports betting. 

Boutte also cited the volume of gambling advertising embedded in sports broadcasts as an added challenge. He credited the Patriots for supporting his recovery and giving him an opportunity to reestablish his career at the professional level. 

"How many of those 32 teams would've just walked away at that point? Especially from a sixth-round pick," he wrote. "But the organization knew my heart, and they stuck by me."

Boutte caught 46 passes for 551 yards and six touchdowns this season. He and the Patriots host the Los Angeles Chargers in a wild-card playoff game Sunday.

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