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Isaiah Rodgers Sr. #34 of the Indianapolis Colts warms up as we look at his reinstatement following his 2023 suspension for gambling.
Isaiah Rodgers Sr. #34 of the Indianapolis Colts warms up on December 26, 2022. Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images via AFP.

Ensuring responsible gambling practices, compliance with legal sports betting regulations, and upholding the integrity of the game are key priorities for both our top sports betting apps and professional sports organizations.

After dealing with the Jontay Porter scandal and the Shohei Ohtani affair, the NBA and MLB are moving forward. The NFL is now preparing for the 2024 season and aiming to avoid similar controversies. In 2023, the league suspended multiple players due to its revised gambling rules.

Five players were reinstated last week, including four free agents – Quintez Cephus, C.J. Moore, Rashod Berry, and Demetrius Taylor – who were cleared to resume their NFL careers. The fifth player to be reinstated was Shaka Toney, a defensive end for the Washington Commanders.

The league has now reinstated Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr., allowing him to move past his 2023 suspension.

What did he do? 

Rodgers was a member of the Indianapolis Colts when he was suspended by the NFL in June 2023, but the team released him right away. As a result, he sat out the entire 2023 season as part of his punishment.

According to reports, the defensive back created an account in the Indiana sports betting market using an associate’s name. He made numerous bets ranging from $25 to $50, referring to them as “crazy-leg parlays” in an attempt to win a large sum of money. The player explained to ESPN’s John Barr that he was placing these bets on behalf of friends in Florida, where legal sports betting options were not available.

Rodgers allegedly wagered on Colts games as well, and he accepted full accountability for his behavior.

What the future holds

The Philadelphia Eagles have claimed the 2020 draft choice, who was cut by the Colts two months ago. With Rodgers reinstated, he can now join team activities right away. This addition to the secondary just days before the 2024 NFL Draft could alter the Eagles’ future plans.

Philadelphia is counting on Rodgers to improve their defense, which struggled in 2023, allowing a high number of passing yards and touchdowns. In his 45 career games, Rodgers has made 10 starts and tallied 90 tackles, 10 passes defended, and three interceptions.