Just over a year after Calvin Ridley's gambling suspension, the NFL has another sports betting scandal on its hands.
This time, it involves five players — four of whom are on the Detroit Lions and one who is on the Washington Commanders.
The NFL announced on Friday that it was suspending five players for violating the NFL's gambling policy. The most high-profile is Lions receiver Jameson Williams, who was a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
So, why did the NFL suspend Williams? Here's everything to know about his suspension and the other four players that are facing bans of varying lengths from the NFL.
MORE: Alex Karras, Calvin Ridley headline list of players suspended for betting on the NFL
Why did the NFL suspend Jameson Williams?
The NFL suspended Jameson Williams for six games after he violated the league's gambling policy.
The league didn't announce exactly what Williams was guilty of in its memo announcing his suspension. However, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Williams was suspended because he bet on college games from inside the Lions' practice facility.
From @NFLNetwork: On the major gambling suspensions this morning -- those suspended at least a year were found to have gambling on NFL games. Those suspended six games placed bets on college games but from their facility. pic.twitter.com/dzHWZst5Yz
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 21, 2023
The NFL clarified in its memo announcing Williams' suspension that players are not allowed to gamble on anything — even non-NFL sports — in any league facility or venue.
The gambling policy, which is annually reviewed with all NFL personnel, including players, prohibits anyone in the NFL from engaging in any form of gambling in any club or league facility or venue, including the practice facility.
The NFL also specified that "no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way" as a result of the actions of Williams and the other players who were suspended.
MORE: Why NFL suspended Calvin Ridley for the 2022 season, explained
Who else did the NFL suspend for violating gambling policy?
The NFL suspended four players in addition to Jameson Williams, three from the Lions and one from the Commanders. They are as follows:
- Lions WR Stanley Berryhill (6 games)
- Lions WR Quintez Cephus (indefinite)
- Lions S C.J. Moore (indefinite)
- Commanders EDGE Shaka Toney (indefinite)
Cephus, Moore and Toney were all suspended indefinitely by the NFL for their violations, which Rapoport reports included betting on NFL games. They will be out of the league for at least a year and then will be eligible to apply for reinstatement.
Berryhill was only given a six-game suspension, so the presumption is that he bet on college games while at a Lions facility, like Williams.
MORE: Explaining NFL's gambling rules that led to Jameson Williams, 4 others being suspended
How long is Jameson Williams suspended?
Williams was only given a six-game suspension by the NFL. He and Berryhill reportedly were hit with that punishment after betting on college games from inside of Detroit's practice facility while Cephus, Moore and Toney were all suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games.
It is a break for the Lions that Williams, the No. 12 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, will not miss his second season in its entirety. He played in just six games as a rookie, as he spent most of his first season recovering from a torn ACL suffered in college. He had just one catch for 41 yards and a touchdown, but he is expected to serve as the star deep threat in Detroit's offense.
Williams' suspension will keep him out until the Lions' seventh game, which will either take place in Week 7 or 8 depending on when the team's bye week falls. He will be eligible to participate in preseason contests along with Berryhill.
Meanwhile, Cephus, Moore and Toney will be unable to play in the preseason given the length of their NFL bans.
MORE: NFL betting rules, explained
What has Jameson Williams said about his suspension?
Williams' agency, Alliance Sports, commented on his suspension in a statement on Friday. He expressed remorse for breaking the rules but also noted that he hadn't, in fact, bet on any NFL games.
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.
What have the Lions said about Williams' suspension?
Meanwhile, the Lions addressed all four of their player suspensions together. General manager Brad Holmes expressed his disappointment in his players and also announced that Moore and Cephus would not remain with the team.
"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," Holmes said in a statement. "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."
So, where does that leave Berryhill and Williams? They remain on the roster and will stay there, per Holmes.
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.
ESPN also reported that the Lions had parted with several staffers who had violated the league's gambling policy in previous months. So, it seems that the team is trying to fix a problem within its otherwise solid-on-paper culture.
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Lions WR depth chart
The Lions are now going to be a bit shorthanded at receiver with Cephus off the roster and Williams and Berryhill suspended for the first six games of the season. Below is a look at the players currently on the roster who will be available at the start of the 2023 NFL season.
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Amon-Ra St. Brown |
| 2 | Marvin Jones |
| 3 | Josh Reynolds |
| 4 | Kalif Raymond |
| 5 | Trinity Benson |
| 6 | Maurice Alexander |
| 7 | Tom Kennedy |
It will be interesting to see if the Lions add any veteran depth to this unit or if they target any potential upgrades in the 2023 NFL Draft. Detroit is armed with the Nos. 6 and 18 overall picks in the first round but isn't expected to take a receiver early after drafting Williams last year.
As such, any potential receiver addition will likely come on Day 2 or 3 of the draft.
