Unfair likeness between Colts DB and Schlichter suggested, yet both face potential sanctions
As an NFL player awaits the resolution of a gambling investigation, memories of Art Schlichter's brief tenure with the Indianapolis Colts resurface, serving as a grim reminder of the perils of compulsive gambling.
Sports Handle broke the news that a Colts player wagered on sports from the team's practice facility, prompting the National Football League (NFL) to educate employees throughout the league on the league's gambling policy. ESPN reported on Monday that the player under investigation is defensive back Isaiah Rodgers Sr., a suspicion seemingly confirmed by Rodgers through an Instagram post hours later.
Should the allegations be proven against Rodgers, he will potentially become the first Colts player to receive a suspension for sports betting since Schlichter's days with the team 40 years ago. Plagued by a crippling gambling addiction, Schlichter depleted over $350,000 of his rookie signing bonus in leading up to a 13-month suspension, effectively ending his NFL career by 1985.
While Rodgers reportedly placed hundreds of bets, including wagers on his own team, his transgressions seem far less egregious. ESPN reported that Rodgers made approximately 100 bets over an unspecified period, with most bets ranging from $25 to $50. One bet reportedly surpassed the low four figures. The wagers were placed on an account opened by an acquaintance, a source with firsthand knowledge revealed to Sports Handle.
According to head coach Shane Steichen, representatives from the NFL have been on the Colts' premises all week to deliver their annual presentations on league rules. The lecture on gambling policy was scheduled prior to Monday's report, Steichen noted. Steichen declined to discuss the allegations further, citing the ongoing investigation.
Wednesday marked the first time Steichen spoke to the media since the investigation became public. A source who spoke to Sports Handle on condition of anonymity stated that Rodgers made a considerable number of wagers from the Colts' facility, some possibly on his team to win. However, Sports Handle could not independently confirm whether Rodgers wagered on his own team.
Rodgers, drafted in the sixth round from the University of Massachusetts in 2020, did not participate in Wednesday's voluntary workout on the field. After Monday's reports surfaced, Rodgers issued a statement on Instagram, expressing regret for the distraction caused and vowing to take steps to remedy the situation.
The Colts declined to comment, but a team spokesman stated that they are aware of the investigation. The team declined comment when asked if Rodgers was suspended from activities prior to the completion of the investigation.
Under NFL rules, players are strictly prohibited from placing legal sports bets during league business hours. The rules also prohibit participation while on team property, such as a facility, bus, or plane.
So far, NFL representatives have been making the rounds, ensuring all employees are aware of the league's gambling policy. Despite the widespread availability of sports betting following the Supreme Court's ruling on PASPA in 2018, the NFL remains adamant that the landscape for players must revolve around abstinence from betting. To date, seven NFL players have been suspended for gambling violations under the league's policy.
While the situation with Rodgers appears isolated, the NFL continues to work diligently to inform players and educate them on the potential pitfalls of gambling. To reinforce their message, they have enlisted well-known players such as Tom Brady to promote educational materials on the league's sports betting policy. The Colts, along with every other NFL team, will screen a video featuring Brady at their facilities soon, with the aim of reinforcing the severity of gambling violations and their impact on the league's integrity.
[1] An analysis of the NFL's gambling policy and its implications for players, the league, and the integrity of the game.
- The NFL player under investigation for sports betting, Isaiah Rodgers Sr., may potentially become the first Colts player to receive a suspension for sports betting since Art Schlichter's days with the team 40 years ago.
- The wagers, placed by Rodgers, were reportedly made on an account opened by an acquaintance, as revealed by a source with firsthand knowledge to Sports Handle.
- Under NFL rules, players are strictly prohibited from placing legal sports bets during league business hours and are also prohibited from participating while on team property.
- The Colts, along with every other NFL team, will screen a video featuring Tom Brady at their facilities soon, with the aim of reinforcing the severity of gambling violations and their impact on the league's integrity.
