We have seen several players issued serious suspensions this offseason as the league begins to crack down on sports betting by players. The NFL dealt another suspension on Monday, seemingly a serious one.
Suspensions dealt out this offseason for gambling have varied greatly, ranging from six-game suspensions like the one Detroit Lions second-year receiver Jameson Williams received to indefinite suspensions like former Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers was dealt.
This latest one was dealt to Denver Broncos second-year defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike, and it is an indefinite suspension, according to a press release from the league shared by Ian Rapoport on Twitter.
“The NFL confirmed today that Eyioma Uwazurike of the Denver Broncos has been suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games in the 2022 season. Uwazurike will be eligible to petition for reinstatement no earlier than July 24, 2024.”
Another indefinite gambling suspension. pic.twitter.com/wqGo4y2hq9
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 24, 2023
Many around the NFL world took notice of this suspension news and offered their opinion on it on social media.
This suspension brought to you by DraftKings Sportsbook!
— Sam Kiang (@KiangSam) July 24, 2023
I'm surprised the NFL letter wasn't sponsored by Draft Kings…..
— Poker Diddler (@DiddlerDirt) July 24, 2023
Ain’t that the dude from the Russ trade? It just keeps getting worse 💀
— OGJ (@OGJ_101) July 24, 2023
What a waste. Just threw away his career
— C-NOH ! (@dripsoldier) July 24, 2023
Announce Mahomes next, I saw him betting on raiders to win Super Bowl last week
— code toke (@ToKeNasty) July 24, 2023
Uwazurike hasn’t played a significant role on the Broncos since entering the league, only appearing in eight games in his rookie season last year. However, the team seemingly had moderately high hopes for him coming out of college, selecting him with a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Iowa State.
It’s a devastating verdict for Uwazurike, who likely hoped to earn a more significant role in his second NFL season. Instead, he will, at the very least, miss the 2023 season, and it is at least somewhat plausible that the rest of his NFL career is now in jeopardy.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.