Undeniably, a major NFL story breaks with Arizona Cardinals cornerback Josh Shaw found guilty of betting football games. Moreover, Shaw has been suspended for the entirety of the 2020 NFL season for this infraction.
The league released an official statement swiftly upon the breaking of the story. Here it is below.
The #Cardinals’ Josh Shaw has been suspended through the 2020 season for betting on NFL games. pic.twitter.com/f2yqCm0VzD
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 29, 2019
Furthermore, NFL commisioner Roger Goddell spoke about the suspension of Shaw. Come to think of it, Goodell has remained quietly in the shadows this season hasn’t he?
“The continued success of the NFL depends directly on each of us doing everything necessary to safeguard the integrity of the game and the reputations of all who participate in the league. At the core of this responsibility 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,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. “If you work in the NFL in any capacity, you may not bet on NFL football.”
Obviously this is a very major allegation, and it’s worth wondering how many players in the league currently bet on the outcome of games. Notably, Shaw has not played a down this season due to being placed on injured reserve in August. However, one shouldn’t be naive and think that he’s the only player in the league doing this.
Shaw is a 27-year old cornerback who was selected in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He has earned more than $3 million dollars in his career. Also Shaw made headlines during his college career at USC while injuring his ankle. During that time, he said he saved a nephew from drowning in a pool. Later on, Shaw admitted that story was fabricated. Some might say after reading the body of work on Shaw, that the guy is a real piece of work.
Currently the NFL has rules against betting on the outcome of 10 different items, with it’s own league being the biggest no-no of the bunch.
