NFL turns to Tom Brady to help reinforce gambling policy
Legendary quarterback records video message for players detailing dangers of betting
The NFL has become engulfed in betting scandals over the past few months, and with teams beginning their formal preparations for the 2023 season, the league has turned to Tom Brady to help reinforce its gambling policy.
In an interview with KUSA Denver reporter Mike Klis, Brady recorded an introduction to a gambling education video the NFL distributed to every team to share with players.
In the video message, Brady details the honor and privilege of playing in the NFL through the context of his love for the game.
The recently retired seven-time Super Bowl champion then goes on to convey how wagering on NFL games compromises the integrity of the sport and thus the reputation of anyone associated with the league.
The gist of Brady’s message: the risk will always far outweigh any reward players can generate from betting on games.
The production and distribution of the video comes at something of a pivot point for the NFL, which has reaped the rewards of partnerships with the biggest sports betting operators over the five years since the fall of PASPA but had only dealt with two major scandals prior to 2023 – a 21-month suspension of cornerback Josh Shaw in 2019 and wide receiver Calvin Ridley being suspended for the 2022 season.
Shaw and Ridley proved to be merely the first dominoes to fall however, as another five players have been suspended in the past few months, including Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams, the team’s first-round draft pick in 2022.
Isaiah Rodgers, a member of the Indianapolis Colts, is currently being investigated for placing up to 100 bets under the name of an associate. Rodgers could reportedly face a lifetime ban according to sportswriter Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
The NFL has made a number of commitments previously centered around responsible gambling, including a $6.2m campaign to educate bettors launched in October 2021.