Detroit Lions immediately release two players after indefinite suspensions for gambling last season
The NFL announced that they have suspended five players for gambling on games in the 2022 season, with penalties taking effect in the upcoming 2023 season.
According to a league statement, three players have been suspended indefinitely for the 2023 season, meaning they will all serve the entire year. Those players include wide receiver Quintez Cephus and safety CJ Moore of the Detroit Lions, as well as defensive end Shaka Toney of the Washington Commanders.
In addition, two other Lions players – both rookies – received lighter sentences. Star receiver Jameson Williams and fellow pass catcher Stanley Berryhill were suspended for the first six games of the 2023 season.
That reports NFL Network Ian Rapoport,,Which turned out to be suspended for at least a year [gambled] on NFL games. Those suspended six games place bets on college games, but their [team’s] facility.’
After their suspension was announced, the Detroit Lions released Cephus and Moore from the team, while also criticizing Williams and Berryhill.
The Lions released Quintez Cephus (L) and CJ Moore (R) following their gambling suspensions
The league has also suspended Shaka Toney indefinitely, meaning he will miss the 2023 season
In addition, Jameson Williams (L) and Stanley Berryhill (R) are suspended for six games
“As a result of an NFL investigation, we learned that some of our players had violated the league’s gambling policies,” Detroit Lions Executive Vice President and General Manager Brad Holmes said in a statement.
“These players exhibited decision making that is inconsistent with our organizational values and in violation of competition rules. We have made the decision to say goodbye to Quintez and CJ immediately.
“We are disappointed with Stanley and Jameson’s decision making and will work with both players to ensure they understand the seriousness of these offenses and have clarity on future competition rules.”
In the NFL’s statement, they highlighted part of their gambling policy that prohibits anyone in the league from “participating in any form of gambling at any club or league facility or venue, including the practice facility.”
The league’s statement added that a review found that there is “no evidence that any insider information has been used or that any game has been compromised in any way”.
Further coverage of NBC sports revealed that “several Lions employees in various departments were fired last month for violating gambling policies.”
NFL team staff are prohibited from betting on anything related to the league, including games and postseason prizes. Like the players, they are also not allowed to gamble at all while in the team facility or travel for team business.
A star wide receiver at Alabama, Williams was drafted in the first round despite tearing his ACL in the 2022 CFP National Championship game. He played just four games last season and had one catch — a 41-yard touchdown.
The Lions also recently fired several staff members for gambling violations
Representation for Williams released a statement on his behalf saying, “Jameson takes full responsibility for his actions and deeply apologizes to the NFL, his teammates and the fans and the city of Detroit.”
However, it is important to note that Jameson’s violation was not because of football betting, but rather because of a technical rule regarding the actual location where the online bet was placed – and which would otherwise have been allowed by the NFL outside the club’s facility. .
“Jameson would never intentionally compromise the integrity of the game he loves and looks forward to returning to his team as soon as possible.”
Cephus was drafted by the Lions in the fifth round in 2020 after a rocky career in Wisconsin – where he was acquitted on charges of sexual assault and eventually allowed back to school.
Throughout his NFL career, Cephus recorded 37 catches for 568 yards and four touchdowns in 22 games.
The remaining two Lions players facing suspension all did not attend college.
The NFL prohibits players and staff from placing bets at team facilities
CJ Moore was signed by the Lions from Ole Miss in 2019. After being released due to injury, he signed a deal with the Texans before being picked from Houston’s practice squad by Detroit.
Moore recently agreed to a two-year contract extension in mid-March. For his NFL career, he has a total of 48 tackles, 29 solo tackles and one interception in 56 games played.
Stanley Berryhill left Arizona and initially signed with the practice teams of the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals. He was elevated to the first team for one game and then immediately sent back to the Lions practice squad. Berryhill signed a reserve/futures contract in January.
As for the Commanders’ Shaka Toney, he was a seventh round pick from Penn State in 2021. In 26 games over two seasons, Toney has a total of 16 tackles, six solo tackles and 1.5 sacks.