The NFL bans Arizona Cardinal's Josh Shaw for betting against his own team in Las Vegas – a bet he lost. Will Shaw be able to juke his way out of his 2021 suspension?
The Arizona Cardinal’s running back, Josh Shaw, proved that he is not the smartest player on the team by getting himself banned for betting on National Football League (NFL) matches while being an active player in the league.
✓Know The Rules Before You Play The Game
In contravention of the league's strict no-betting policy for league players, Shaw placed a three-team parlay on the second-half results of three Week 10 games at a Caesar’s Entertainment sportsbook in Las Vegas.
Given that the NFL and Caesars Entertainment signed the league’s first ever casino sponsor deal earlier this year, and the fact that Shaw listed his profession as “professional football player” on his betting account Caesars was obligated to report him to the league.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said:
"At the core of this responsibility (the continued success of the NFL) is the longstanding principle that betting on NFL games, or on any element of a game, puts at risk the integrity of the game, damages public confidence in the NFL, and is forbidden under all circumstances. If you work in the NFL in any capacity, you may not bet on NFL football."
Shaw has been banned from competing in the NFL till February 2021, a decision he has appealed with the commission citing ignorance of the NFL rules regarding the bets he placed.
✓No Proof Or Appearance Of Collusion
There are several key indicators that Shaw acted alone and that there was no collusion with either coaches or teammates. Primarily the fact that Shaw bet against his own team as part of his three-team parlay – and lost!
The fact that the outcome of a multi-team parlay requires several outcomes spread across multiple teams makes it one of the bets that are unlikely to be placed in cases of collusion.
✓Not The Record He Had In Mind
Finally, while Shaw may have had hopes of entering the Hall of Fame for his prowess on the field, he holds the dubious record of being the first major sports league player to be suspended for gambling since the Supreme Courts 2018 ruling legalised sports betting.
Shaw’s ban ended the sports leagues decades-long gambling-suspension free streak. The last notable players to be banned from competing in the NFL for betting on league matches were Paul Hornung (Green Bay Packers) and Alex Karras (Detroit Lions) back in 1963.
Hornung did manage to put the debacle behind him and claim a position in the Hall of Fame, so theoretically there is hope for Shaw yet.
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