The regular season kicks off next week and with it comes the now-familiar legalized sports betting commercials during game telecasts.
While the league now limits the number of such TV ads to roughly one per quarter, it does sometimes feel as if these commercials, including some featuring a few of our fellow alumni, are the 21st century version of the frequent automobile and beer ads we were used to seeing during games.
There is a new culture of sports betting and fantasy football that did not exist when many of us played. As a result, the league has increased its gambling policy education among players, coaches, front office staffers and (yes) even owners this year. Fortunately, there have been no gambling related suspensions among players in more than a year and Commissioner Goodell wants that trend to continue.
In-person gambling policy education and training is mandatory for all players this season. In the old days, we as active players usually had just a 30-minute hurried speech from one of the league’s security directors following a hot afternoon practice in training camp. It is safe to say not all of us were totally focused. The simple directive then was: Don’t gamble on games because, if you do, you will be suspended.
That basic message to players this year is the same as when we played but it covers six different areas:
- Never bet on the NFL which means not only games but other events such as the Draft, Combine, Pro Bowl or the NFL Honors awards during Super Bowl week.
- Do not have someone else bet for you whether family or friends.
- Do not gamble (no bets on other sports, casino, or card games) at your team facility or stadium, while traveling for a road game, or staying at a team hotel.
- Do not share “inside information” or any team news that has not been already announced by your club.
- Do not enter a sportsbook during the NFL season.
- Do not play daily fantasy football.
Coaches and club staff are not permitted to bet on any sports.
Yes, it is a different world these days in sports but, what has not changed, is that the integrity of our games is of greatest importance.
