Rookies call off bet amid gambling rules concerns
ASHBURN, Va. – Two of the top picks in the NFL draft had some scratch on who would receive more votes for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
But since one of the two former LSU teammates made the wager public, both Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers said Friday during their respective rookie minicamps the bet had been canceled, citing that they were previously “uneducated” on the NFL’s gambling policy.
“We were uneducated on the gambling policy in the NFL. We learned about it last night,” Daniels said.
Nabers went on “The Pivot” podcast and first spilled the beans about the $10,000 wager. Former NFL wideout Keyshawn Johnson followed up with Daniels when the quarterback appeared on his podcast, “All Facts No Brakes.”
“He wasn’t supposed to tell anybody,” Daniels, who confirmed the bet amount, told Johnson. “We got a little something going on.”
Nabers and Daniels spoke Thursday night and called off the deal, Daniels said.
“We don’t want to get in trouble or anything. We’re focused on being the best players for our respective teams,” the second overall pick and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner added.
Nabers, who signed his rookie contract with the Giants on Friday, put together back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving campaigns after Daniels transferred to LSU before the 2022 season. Daniels threw for 3,812 yards and had 40 touchdowns with four interceptions last year. He rushed for another 10 touchdowns and 1,134 yards, averaging 8.4 yards per carry.
The NFL prohibits players “from placing, soliciting, or facilitating any bet, whether directly or through a third party, on any NFL game, practice or other event.” The policy once explicitly banned “private wagers between teammates, family and friends, or others,” although that language was not included in the most recent guidelines issued last year.
Still, the two rookies thought it would be best to denounce the bet.
“It was just another brother pushing another brother to try to get to success,” Nabers told reporters. “That’s all it was.”