The NFL made a shocking announcement last week that New York Jets wide receivers coach Miles Austin was suspended for one season after he violated the league’s gambling policy. At the time, we were told that the coach had not bet on NFL games. Now we know what it was he was betting on that led to the suspension.
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Austin placed a few $50 bets on NBA games. Florio added that, according to his source, Austin didn’t realize that he was violating the league’s policy, assuming that it only applied to NFL games.
It’s very possible that Austin was confused because the league’s rules are confusing. Players are currently allowed to bet on other sports aside from football, but coaches are not. As a former player, the coach might not have realized that there was a delineation between the two, especially since it’s an asinine rule. Either people involved in the NFL can gamble on other sports or not, what difference does it make between a player and a coach?
Former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley was previously suspended for betting on NFL games but he is likely to return to the league in 2023.
Austin’s contract with the Jets expires after the season, so we’ll see if he is even still with the staff when his suspension is over.
[PFT]
