Isaiah Rodgers could face more severe punishment than Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley
Betting on sporting events has become widespread and NFL players don't want to miss out on the fun. While they can place wagers in other spots, they're strictly forbidden to bet on football games, which is why Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley was slapped with an indefinite suspension that lasted a bit more than a year back in 2021. More recently, Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers violated the league's gambling policy and could be facing a more severe punishment than Ridley.
Just a few days ago, reports about the NFL investigating player a Colts player for violations to their gambling policy surfaced and it quickly came to light that it was Rodgers. Not long after the news broke, he took responsibility for his actions with a post on social media. But given the severity of the violations to the policy, he could find himself getting life banishment from the league. After all, the policy is very straightforward.
As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noted, commissioner Roger Goodell has the broad authority to bar any players from ever stepping into the football field if he chooses to. Given the severity of Rodgers' infraction, getting banished might be a realistic outcome.
"Based on other punishments, an indefinite suspension of at least one year is a given. The broad language of the policy puts banishment on the table. The question is what it will take for the Commissioner to go that far. Much of it depends on the eventual facts of the case. If he ever bet on the Colts to lose, that would be grounds for a no-questions-asked banishment."
After all, Ridley placed six different bets that amounted to $3,900 and got an indefinite suspension that was ultimately lifted this past March. Meanwhile, Rodgers placed more than 100 under the name of an associate and if bet against the Colts, he won't get any leniency.
Just recently, six Lions players and one from the Washington Commanders were suspended for breaking the NFL's gambling policy. Among those that will serve a suspension is sophomore wide receiver Jameson Williams, the 12th overall pick in last year's draft.
Isaiah Rodgers will be held accountable just like Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley
Although Rodgers held himself accountable for placing bets, he was fully aware of his actions and the gambling policy is clear-cut, so there's no way it. It's unknown whether players are consistently reminded or when they get the league's guidelines but they can't just say that they didn't know about the rules.
Looking back, Ridley's punishment for betting on football games might have seemed harsh but the league probably wanted to send a message that under no circumstances it is ok for players to commit violations to the gambling policy. They'll most likely do the same with Rodgers.
Although Rodgers, a sixth-round pick in the 2020 draft, isn't a superstar player, he was an important piece of the Colts' defense, having registered three interceptions, one forced fumble and 10 passes defensed in 32 games with 10 starts over the last two seasons.
The league has zero tolerance for violations to their gambling policy. Calvin Ridley knows that firsthand. Isaiah Rodgers will be the next player to find out.