Aug 19, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) warms up before a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots
(Foxborough, MA) — Over recent gambling suspensions, Patriots’ star Jonathan Jones went at the NFL on Twitter.
“I understand rules are rules, But I can risk my life so that my team wins but I can’t risk 1k on my team winning,” Jones wrote in a tweet on Thursday.
The two-time Super Bowl champions words come in the wake of the NFL indefinitely barred free agent Demetrius Taylor and the Colts’ Isaiah Rodgers and Rashon Berry from suiting up on Thursday. All three players placed bets on NFL games during the 2022 season.
“You could limit bets to be only for your team’s benefit,” he wrote.
The cornerback quickly received backlash on Twitter from fans noting that any bets on NFL games by players could influence on-field effort.
“If you don’t give maximum effort you lose your job more than any bet,” he wrote. “This isn’t boxing. You can’t get 92 players on a Sunday to not show maximum effort.”
Nicholas Petit-Frere, offensive tackle for the Titans, was also suspended. But he was punished for six games after betting on non-NFL games from the team facility.
Earlier this month, the NFL announced it is doubling down on its gambling rules and making it a requirement for rookies to attend education sessions that discuss the league’s gambling policies.
The NFL likely won’t be siding with Jones anytime soon.
