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Joe Brennan, Jr. couldn't help but point to the irony. He was among those responsible for getting sports betting legalized in the US. And the National Football League (NFL) fought him tooth and nail.
"For 10 years, our effort to overturn the federal ban on betting was deemed a threat to the integrity of the game by the NFL. Now, two active players will be regulars on a Sportsbook’s betting show."
That show is produced by none other than FanDuel.
FanDuel announced Tuesday that Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel, and four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski will be regular weekly guests on FanDuel TV’s Up & Adams sports show for Season 2.
Join Kay Adams and a rotating roster of personalities from across sports and entertainment as they discuss the biggest storylines in the NFL, sports and pop culture. The show appears to steer clear of outward gambling discussion. There is discussion of fantasy rosters and predictions.
Still, it's a bad look.
Around a dozen current NFL players were suspended over the summer for betting sports, some on NFL games.
Four Detroit Lions, including Jameson Williams, Quintez Cephus, C.J. Moore, and Stanley Berryhill, were suspended for violation of the league's gambling policy. Cephus and Moore were suspended indefinitely, while Williams and Berryhill received only six games. CB Isaiah Rodgers and LB Rashod Berry, both of the Indianapolis Colts, were also suspended.
Williams and Berryhill were issued shorter suspensions as they were found not to have bet on NFL games.
Players are allowed to bet any sport other than NFL games, just as long as they are not at work. Williams is alleged to have placed his bets from a team practice facility.
"I think it's hypocritical," said former Steelers and Bears quarterback Jim Miller. "You can't lie in bed with the devil, and not think you're going to get burned.
"Soon, you'll be able to make bets in (most) NFL stadiums," Miller added. "That being said, the players are well aware of the rules. They have seminars and stuff up in the locker room to educate them."
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
