Sean Payton Blasts NFL Gambling Policy After Broncos Player Is Suspended

The Denver coach weighed in on the NFL’s gambling mandate that has led to multiple players suspended from the league.

Broncos coach Sean Payton did not hold back on his thoughts about the NFL’s gambling policy that has led to a series of players suspended for violating the league’s mandate, including his own defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike.

Payton told USA Today Sports on Tuesday that as more players have been suspended recently, the league must look at its own communication of the gambling protocol.

“When you have a bunch of players getting D’s, you have to start looking at the message,” Payton told Jarrett Bell of USA Today Sports. “And we’ve had a lot of D’s in our league this year with this policy. And we’re going to send them home for a year, where they can’t be around. The idea that you just go away, shame on us.”

The NFL suspended Uwazurike for his gambling pursuits in April and he will not return for approximately a year. But even before the 25-year-old’s suspension, Payton was not a fan of the NFL’s gambling protocol, mainly due to the complexity of the mandate as well as league’s continuous sponsorship agreements with casino and betting platforms. 

However, to stay within the league’s guidelines despite his irritation for them, Payton shared a simple piece of advice with his players going forward.

“You can’t bet on NFL football, ever, ever, ever,” Payton said, per USA TODAY. “I don’t give a [expletive] what it is. The other thing is, it’s the same as the gun policy. You can’t bet on nothing if you’re at your facility, your hotel, your airplane. So, wherever you can’t carry a gun, you can’t place a bet.”