Cards’ Shaw gets ban for game bets
NFL
Cardinals cornerback Josh Shaw was suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games on multiple occasions this season, the first time in more than 35 years a player has been banned for gambling.
The league announced the suspension Friday. Shaw was banned for at least the rest of this season and the entire 2020 season. He can petition for reinstatement on Feb. 15, 2021.
According to the NFL, a league investigation found no information that Shaw used inside information or compromised any games. Shaw hasn’t played this season and was placed on injured reserve after a shoulder injury in the preseason opener.
The league also said it found no evidence that teammates, coaches or other players were aware of Shaw betting on games.
“The continued success of the NFL depends directly on each of us doing everything necessary to safeguard the integrity of the game and the reputations of all who participate in the league. At the core of this responsibility is the longstanding principle that betting on NFL games, or on any element of a game, puts at risk the integrity of the game, damages public confidence in the NFL, and is forbidden under all circumstances,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “If you work in the NFL in any capacity, you may not bet on NFL football.”
The Cardinals didn’t comment on the suspension, referring to the league’s statement.
The NFL didn’t say where Shaw placed his bets. Sports betting is now legal in 13 states after a Supreme Court decision in 2018 struck down the federal law that had limited full-scale legal sports betting to Nevada. The NFL has long been opposed to the expansion of legal gambling but since the decision has softened its stance and entered into limited partnerships with sportsbooks.
The league also approved the Raiders move to the gambling mecca of Las Vegas, where the franchise will play starting in 2020.
Suspensions of NFL players for betting are rare. The highest-profile case was in 1963 when Paul Hornung of the Packers and Alex Karras of the Lions were banned for the entire season. Both were reinstated the next season, and Hornung went on to make the Hall of Fame.
In the most recent case, Colts quarterback Art Schlichter was suspended in 1983 for betting on NFL games and other sporting events. He, too, was reinstated the following year.
The 27-year-old Shaw was a fourthround draft pick by the Bengals out of USC in 2015. He spent three seasons with the Bengals and was cut at the start of last season. He played four games last year for the Chiefs and four games for the Buccaneers.
Shaw was signed by the Cardinals in the offseason to a one-year deal. If he wants to appeal his suspension, he has three days to file notice with the league.
Eagles reward Johnson: The Eagles and two-time Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson agreed to a four-year contract extension that runs through 2025.
ESPN reported that the new deal is worth $72 million and includes over $54 million in guarantees, making Johnson, 29, the highest-paid tackle in the NFL.
Good news, bad news for Cowboys: Cowboys left guard Connor Williams tore the ACL his right knee during Thursday’s loss to the Bulls and will miss the rest of the season.
Williams will undergo surgery in the next two to four weeks.
The Cowboys did receive some good news on the injury front.
Three-time Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper suffered an injury late in Thursday’s game when he took a helmet to his left leg after a catch, but tests showed no structural damage, ESPN reported.
Extra points: The Broncos activated rookie QB Drew Lock ahead of Sunday’s game against the Chargers, and coach Vic Fangio said it’s still a possibility Lock will start the game over Brandon Allen . ... The Patriots listed 10 players on their injury report as questionable for Sunday night’s game against the Texans because of a flu-like illness.