Tom Brady helping NFL educate players on risks of gambling policy
With a recent surge of violations of the NFL’s gambling policy, the league is turning to one of its most popular former players for help.
According to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver, the NFL has asked former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady to address the perils of sports betting for NFL players.
“According to a league source, Brady taped an introduction to the league’s gambling educational video that is to be shown by every team at their facilities as part of their regularly scheduled sessions on gambling,” Klis wrote. “… In his video message, Brady … talks about his love of football and how the opportunity to play in the NFL was a privilege of a lifetime. He then says betting on NFL games hurts the integrity of the league and the reputation of everyone on your team and it’s just not worth it.”
Klis also points out Brady’s message references how difficult it is to get to the NFL and that gambling isn’t worth the risk it could have on a player’s career or his teammates.
The NFL’s initiative to drive home the risks involved with violating the league’s gambling policy comes just days after reports of Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers betting on NFL games and facing an indefinite suspension.
SI.com’s Albert Breer also reported that the NFL is looking into more players beyond just Rodgers, and that the league is establishing a precedent for how gambling-related issues are handled in the future.
Since the merger, eight NFL players have been suspended for violating the league’s gambling policy. Rodgers hasn’t been suspended yet, but the league is expected to announce his punishment sometime soon.
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