A group of NFL players who took part in an arm wrestling event in Las Vegas over the weekend will be disciplined by the NFL. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the players will be fined for violating the league’s policy barring players from taking part in events held at casinos. NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart told Jarrett Bell of USA Today that no one from the event, which was taped for later broadcast on CBS, asked for permission but organizers disputed that account. Steelers linebacker James Harrison, Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills, 49ers linebacker Navorro Bowman, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, Raiders punter Marquette King, Raiders defensive end Mario Edwards, Patriots safety Patrick Chung, and Cowboys receiver Lucky Whitehead took part in the event. Marshawn Lynch was also a participant and appears poised to join the Raiders for the 2017 season, but Rapoport reports that his current spot on the reserve/retired list will allow him to avoid a fine. The league’s policies on gambling and promotions involving casinos are sure to come under further scrutiny in the next few years as the Raiders prepare to make Las Vegas their home. For now, though, the players have found themselves on the wrong side of the league’s disciplinary department.
Yeah he needs to learn to be more of a complete WR with that guaranteed $, instead of arm wrestling. Surprised (sarcastic) didn't see him with Jarvis, Grant, Parker, on Twitter working with Chad Johnson Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The NoFunLeague sees all. Its the offseason right??? NFLPA should be going like WTF??? THese guys are on me time, what they do is nunya!
I think the chance that no player in the league has been compromised by a professional gambling syndicate is approximately zero. We've seen it in big money sports like tennis and soccer that players/teams have thrown matches shaved points and otherwise been up to shenanigans for gamblers. This ihas to be happening in the NFL now. There are too many reports of players being around casinos and gambling, someone somewhere has to have been compromised by now. I'm just waiting for the bomb to go off. So yeah, I think it is a very good idea for the NFL to be really strong about players and trying to keep them away from gambling and gambling houses. Which is why when the NFL is around the LV Raiders, having NFL.com talk about betting lines, fantasy football and things like that gets me very worried.
I love how people think that having a team in Vegas is going to all of a sudden make people "shave points" throw games, ect... Come on, Vegas has always been here. You don't even have to be in vegas to gamble.
Pretty ridiculous IMO. It's the offseason. These guys are taking part in an arm wrestling event at a casino, or sponsored by a casino, and that's fine worthy? Give me a break... What does the NFL think is going to happen when the Raiders move to Vegas? They don't seriously think there won't be any players taking part in corporate marketing opportunities, or special events? I mean, this happens in every NFL city, it just so happens that the corporate culture of Vegas is mainly casino oriented, so... no marketing options, or event appearances at the main industry in the city the team is moving to? OK... I'm sure this rule will change down the road, I'd assume it has to once the Raiders move, which will make these fine's for these players even more of a joke. I hope the NFLPA has the players' backs here.
Meanwhile Big Ben continues to ride motorcycles, without a helmet. Players go skydiving, they go to the most exotic adventures which includes safaries/jungles, countries with bad government, etc.. but an arm wrestling match is what crosses the line.. mmk
These guys sign contracts knowing full well that they constraints on what they can do, the contracts don't have an off season , so they are never free to do whatever they like. Having said that, this looks a lot like a misunderstanding as opposed to circumventing any rules.
