Five National Football League (NFL) players – four from the Detroit Lions and one from the Washington Commanders – are facing heavy suspension for violating NFL’s gambling policy.

League officials on Friday said in a statement that Wide receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore of the Lions, and defensive end Shaka Toney of the Commanders would be “suspended indefinitely through at least the conclusion of the 2023 season for betting on NFL games in the 2022 season.”

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“We have been made aware of the suspension of Shaka Toney. We have cooperated fully with the NFL’s investigation since receiving notice and support the league’s findings and actions. All further questions on the topic should be directed to the NFL League Office,” the Commanders said in a statement regarding the defensive end’s suspension.

On the other hand, the statement from NFL also noted that Detroit Lions wide receivers Stanley Berryhill and Jamerson Williams have been suspended for the first six games of the upcoming season. However, they are still allowed to participate in preseason activities with their team.

Although the NFL decided to take action against the players, they maintained that none of the games in the past season was affected as a result of the said misconduct of the players.

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“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 league noted in the statement.

“A league review uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way,” it added.

What is NFL’s gambling policy?

The NFL has a strict gambling policy that prohibits all NFL personnel from engaging in any form of gambling while in any club or league setting, including locker rooms, practice or office facilities, team buses, trains, flights, or hotels, or while traveling on club or league business. The policy also prohibits NFL personnel from promoting or endorsing anything involving gambling and from participating in daily fantasy football leagues.