Tom Brady is helping the NFL deliver its legal sports betting policy to players across the league.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion has reportedly recorded an educational video message regarding the NFL’s gambling policy. The video, which will be shown to all 32 NFL teams during minicamp and training camp sessions, also speaks to Brady’s experience in the NFL, what it meant to play in the league, and how wagering on NFL games hurts the integrity of the sport.
The desire for Brady’s presence on the NFL’s messaging regarding its gambling policy follows a recent influx of betting-related issues for America’s most popular professional sports league.
Earlier this week, the NFL launched an investigation into Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers. The sixth-round pick from the 2020 draft allegedly placed roughly 100 wagers on NFL games from online betting sites that were registered in an associate’s name. Rodgers also violated the NFL’s policy by allegedly placing wagers on the Colts that ranged between $25-$50.
In April, the NFL dished out suspensions to five players from the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders. Players suspended included Quintez Cephus and C.J. Moore of the Lions, and Shaka Toney of the Commanders — who were both caught betting on NFL games in 2022. Cephus, Moore, and Toney have all been suspended indefinitely by the NFL for their wagering.
Stanley Berryhill and Jameson Williams of the Lions were also handed suspensions in April. The players wagered on non-NFL games at their team’s facility, which violates the NFL’s policy. As a result, Berryhill and Williams will serve six-game suspensions for the 2023 season.
The NFL also discovered a pair of violations in 2022. Calvin Ridley of the Jacksonville Jaguars missed the entire 2022 season for wagering on NFL games during his time with the Atlanta Falcons. New York Jets wide receivers coach Miles Austin was given a minimum one-year suspension in December 2022 for betting. Austin appealed the suspension, which is pending.
The NFL using Brady as a spokesperson for its gambling policy is also the result of a shift in the industry regarding athletes. In 2022, Sportradar detected 1,212 suspicious matches in 12 different sports. Other governing bodies in sports such as MLS and college athletic programs have also suspended players and coaches for unlawful wagering on their respective sports.
Despite the issues, over 99.5% of all sporting events are free from match-fixing, per Sportradar.
