See which former Detroit Lions players have been reinstated by the NFL.
The Detroit Lions experienced early challenges in the 2023 NFL season. That adversity included sports betting, as some players were suspended indefinitely for breaking the NFL’s gambling policy. As a result, the Lions faced a difficult decision: release these players.
Now it appears that these players will have a second opportunity in the NFL. Read on to find out more.
Former Detroit Lions Players Reinstated
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, numerous players penalized for gambling last year have been restored by the NFL. At the time, some of these players were suspended indefinitely and had to apply for reinstatement once the 2023 NFL season ended. That process is now complete.
So, which guys will return to the NFL? Three of them have previously played for the Detroit Lions. The three players are WR Quintez Cephus, S C.J. Moore, and DL Demetrius Taylor.
Currently, all three of these players are free agents. However, they will all have the opportunity to find new homes.
Looking Back at Their Careers
Did these three players have remarkable careers prior to their gambling suspensions? Okay, not quite.
Let us start with C.J. Moore. He only spent four seasons in the NFL. During that time, he recorded an interception, a fumble recovery, and 48 total tackles.
Cephus served three seasons with the Detroit Lions. During that time, he had 37 catches for 568 yards and four touchdown grabs.
Then there’s Dmetrius Taylor. He has perhaps had the least significant career of the group. Taylor has only played one NFL game in his career.
Other Notable Gambling Controversies in Sports
The NFL is hardly the only sports league with a strong stance on gambling. Jontay Porter was just suspended for life from the NBA following a significant sports betting scandal. However, when you look at the specifics of the case, you can see why the NBA took a tougher stance on him than these NFL guys.
Porter’s case involved more than just sports betting. He was also implicated in point shaving and providing insider information on the status of specific players (including himself).
With such a circumstance, it is understandable why a gamer could be banned indefinitely. However, one may argue that the integrity of sports leagues is so delicate that the NFL must take at least some action against individuals like these. Even if they are placing bets similar to those of the ordinary fan.
