Super Bowl LVIII News: Roger Goodell Gives Ultimatum With NFL’s ‘Strict’ Gambling Policy Ahead of Chiefs vs. 49ers

The NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has his decisive stance on the league’s rules. The Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night is currently underway. Goodell too appeared on the stage to answer questions from the media, wherein he strictly spoke on the ‘gambling’ policy of the NFL.

Ahead of this Super Bowl week, Goodell sent a memo to all 32 teams to reinforce the said policy. He also noted some exceptions for the Super Bowl game. Now, once again, Goodell is reiterating the policy at the biggest stage of the year on Monday, elaborating on the cautiousness and consequences behind the same.

Roger Goodell offers further clarification on the gambling policy

On Monday. Feb 5, at the Super Bowl Opening night in Las Vegas, Roger Goodell appeared in front of the media to address their questions. During this presser, he spoke about his stance on the ‘gambling’ policy of the league. Goodell informed that the organization spent a lot of time educating and making sure that everyone stays connected with the rules of the league.

He mentioned, “We clarified our policy earlier this year, and it was to put the importance for our players that betting on NFL games, or inside information, or anything that would negatively impact the integrity of our game is absolutely off limits.”

Goodell further strictly cleared, when asked about the league’s staff or players’ involvement in such issues, “I think it depends on the circumstances. I believe the last number I saw was 25, and I think we have roughly 13 players that have been involved with some discipline. I think it depends on the circumstances of what it is. If they were betting on the NFL you’re terminated automatically, that’s just it.”

Ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers meeting in the Super Bowl on February 11, Goodell also shared a memo that states that any kind of gambling on the Super Bowl is prohibited. This includes things like squares, pools, or similar contests. If you’re in a sportsbook, it’s okay as long as you’re just passing through to another open area.

Sharing inside information is strictly prohibited. Staff or team personnel can hit the casino for games like blackjack and slots, per the NFL memo, but it has to be during the off hours. This is the special allowance just for the Super Bowl week. However, the Chiefs or 49ers players aren’t allowed for even any casino games.

Read more: Did the NFL Snub Brad Allen and Choose Bill Vinovich as Super Bowl LVIII Head Referee Due to Odious Officiating?

The prohibitions bring attention to the 13 players who were “roughly involved” in this non-disciplinary act, according to Goodell. There are recent names like Safety CJ Moore and three other Detroit Lions players that were attached to the issue.

The 2023 suspension due to a violation of the NFL’s policy

On April 21, 2023, the NFL suspended five players: Jameson Williams, Quintez Cephus, C.J. Moore, Stanley Berryhill, all from the Lions, and Shaka Toney (Commanders). The league found them guilty of violating its gambling policy. Out of the five, three players – Cephus, Moore, and Toney, faced indefinite suspensions, while Williams and Berryhill got a six-game suspension each.

It was because Williams and Berryhill had placed bets on non-NFL games but did it within an NFL facility; unlike the rest who had placed bets on NFL games. Additionally, Cephus and Moore were cut from the team following their indefinite suspensions.

This whole scandal made waves because it doubled the number of gambling policy suspensions in the league’s history.

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