The NFL published the finding of its latest gambling probe, and the Detroit Lions are one of two teams affected.
Four Lions players have been disciplined after a league investigation that also spread to the Washington Commanders found players violated league policy on wagering.
Here’s what we know about the case:
What happened?
News broke Friday when the NFL announced punishment for five players in its league. Its policy prohibits players from gambling on NFL games, the draft or other football activities, and from taking part in any form of gambling while at a team facility, league facility or while traveling with the team.
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Who was punished?
- Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions receiver: Suspended six games.
- Stanley Berryhill, Detroit Lions receiver: Suspended six games.
- Quintez Cephus, Detroit Lions receiver: Suspended indefinitely, cut by team; eligible to apply for reinstatement after one year.
- C.J. Moore, Detroit Lions safety: Suspended indefinitely, cut by team; eligible to apply for reinstatement after one year.
- Shaka Toney, Washington Commanders defensive end: Suspended indefinitely; eligible to apply for reinstatement after one year.
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Did we know this was coming?
Yes, the Lions were made aware of the probe sometime in March, and had been bracing for Friday’s news, according to Dave Birkett of the Free Press. In fact, the Lions fired four “lower-level staff members” in March for violating the league’s gambling policy for employees.
Funny enough, Holmes spoke during his final pre-draft news conference Thursday, but fortunately for him, the news broke roughly 24 hours later. He did not have to face questions on this topic from the media.
Who are these players?
∎ Williams, 22 years old from St. Louis, Missouri, is the biggest name, a first-round pick in 2022 out of Alabama, taken 12th overall. The Lions traded up from Pick 32 to acquire him from NFC North Division rival Minnesota Vikings. Williams played 78 offensive snaps in six games last season. He had three drops and just one catch, a 41-yard touchdown in his second game, vs. the Vikings, and a 40-yard run in a Week 17 win over the Chicago Bears. He spent much of the year on the non-football injury list because of a torn ACL in his knee, suffered in the national championship game in January 2022.
∎ Cephus, 25 from Mason, Georgia, was a fifth-round pick in 2020 by the Lions out of Wisconsin. He had 20 catches for 349 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie in 13 games. In 2021, he had 15 catches for 204 yards and two scores in five games (three starts) before injury. In 2022, he had two catches for 15 yards in four games, sidelined by a foot injury.
∎ Berryhill, 24 from Tucson, Arizona, was undrafted out of Arizona. He played in four games with the Lions last season, mostly on special teams (34 snaps). He played six snaps on offense.
∎ Moore, 27 from Bassfield, Mississippi, was undrafted out of Mississippi. He became a core special teams player with the Lions in four seasons, and converted two fake punts on runs off direct snaps. He signed a two-year deal with the Lions this March that included $2.5 million guaranteed.
∎ Toney, 25 from Philadelphia, was a seventh round pick in 2021 by Washington out of Penn State. Played in 26 games in two seasons, with 1½ sacks and 16 tackles.
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Will the players lose money?
Oh yes. Williams cost himself at least $382,906 in salary, according to Overthecap.com. He will also have his remaining salary guarantees voided, meaning he essentially will be playing year-to-year, as the Lions could cut him anytime entering the upcoming seasons with no cap ramifications. Williams “could be subject to bonus forfeiture of $862,179 if the Lions have the ability to recover any bonus money due to the suspension,” according to Overthecap.
Berryhill must first make the team, but he would forfeit $290,000 this season.
Of Moore’s $3 million in guarantees, $1.4 million is from his signing bonus. The Lions could pursue any of that money previously paid, since the incident occurred prior to the signing of his two-year, $4.5 million contract. The $1.6 million in other salary guarantees voids.
Cephus, in the last year of his rookie deal, would have earned $1 million, which was not guaranteed. He will leave the Lions with $76,073 in dead money.
Toney squanders his $940,000 salary this season.
Can Williams and Berryhill practice with the Lions this summer? Can they play in preseason games?
Yes. Both receivers are eligible to take part in the Lions’ offseason program (organized team activities, minicamp), training camp this summer and play in preseason games. They then must miss the first six games of the regular season. They can resume workouts at the Lions’ practice facility in Allen Park after serving the first half of their suspensions. But they can not take part in practices during the suspension.
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How did the Lions and Commanders react?
Lions released a statement with quotes from third-year general manager Brad Holmes.
“As a result of an NFL investigation, it came to our attention that a few of our players had violated the league’s gambling policy. These players exhibited decision making that is not consistent with our organizational values and violates league rules. We have made the decision to part ways with Quintez and C.J. immediately. We are disappointed by the decision making demonstrated by Stanley and Jameson and will work with both players to ensure they understand the severity of these violations and have clarity on the league rules moving forward.”
The Commanders had a terse response.
“We have been made aware of the suspension of Shaka Toney,” the team said. “We have cooperated fully with the NFL’s investigation since receiving notice and support the league’s findings and actions.”
What did the players say?
Williams’ agency released a statement to ESPN:
“Alliance Sports confirms that its client, Jameson Williams, has been suspended by the NFL for six games for violating the NFL’s gambling policy. Jameson takes full responsibility for his actions and is very apologetic to the NFL, his teammates and the fans and city of Detroit. However, it is important to note that Jameson’s violation was not for betting on football but rather due to a technical rule regarding the actual location in which the online bet was placed – and which would otherwise be allowed by the NFL outside of the club’s facility. Jameson would never intentionally jeopardize the integrity of the game he loves so much and looks forward to getting back to his team as soon as possible.”
Does this affect the Lions’ NFL draft plans next week?
Probably. The Lions have two first-round picks in Thursday night, Nos. 6 and 18. They three picks on Day in Rounds 2-3 on Friday and have nine picks in total. Williams was projected to start on the outside along with Marvin Jones, with leading receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in the slot. Cephus was expected to compete for the fifth or sixth receiver spot. Now, the Lions’ depth chart moves Josh Reynolds back to the starting position. Reynolds, 28, had 38 catches last season for 479 yards and three touchdowns over 14 games (11 starts).
Is this the first NFL gambling incident since it became legal in many states?
No, it is not. Calvin Ridley, then a receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, was suspended indefinitely in March of 2022 for betting on NFL games.
Ridley, the 26th overall pick in the first round of the 2018 draft out of Alabama, admitted to placing parlay bets that included wagers on his team, the Falcons, to win. The league reportedly became aware of his actions via the legal sports betting industry.
Ridley was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 1 for two draft picks, and he was reinstated this spring.
Is the first time a Lions player has been in trouble for sports gambling?
Glad you asked. No, it is not. In fact, 60 years ago, All-Pro defensive lineman Alex Karras was suspended one season by NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle after Karras admitted on national TV that he bet on football games. A member of the NFL All-Decade team of the 1960s, and a College Football Hall of Famer from his days at Iowa, Karras was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in in the Class of 2020.
When did sports betting become so accessible?
Previously, legal sports wagering in the United States was only allowed in Nevada. Not anymore.
The Supreme Court in May 2018 made a ruling to grant states the power to legalize sports betting at their choosing, with their own rules and regulations.
Thirty-three states and Washington D.C. offer a form of legal sports betting. Michigan legalized sports betting in January 2020.
Free Press sports reporter Dave Birkett contributed to this story.