Amidst NFL Suspension, Former Colts CB Isaiah Rodgers Says Bets Were Made for Others.
On June 29, the Indianapolis Colts waived and punished Isaiah Rodgers Sr. for making bets on his own team.
He said to ESPN’s John Barr on Thursday that the wagers he placed were for residents of Florida, where internet gambling was illegal at the time of his gambling offenses.
“Just trying to help friends and family out, just knowing that it wasn’t legal at the time in Florida and it was in Indiana,” stated the man.
According to reports, Rodgers had wagered between $25 and $50 on 100 wagers, some of which were on Colts games. In one particular game, he also prevailed in a $1,000 prop bet on the over/under for the amount of rushing yards by Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.
On Thursday, Rodgers verified those wagers.
“That report is true, with it being $1,000, but that report wasn’t made from my device,” he stated. “It was more crazy-leg parlays with just $25 trying to make a crazy amount, but the $25 to $50 bets are exactly true. Just amusing wagers. Nothing too grave. It was never, “My life is going to change because of this bet.”
Prior to his suspension and eventual release, Rodgers issued a formal apology:
In addition, he claimed that because of a bet he made, he never let certain things happen in a game.
“I studied too hard and too long and worked too hard to even get to this position to go out there and say, ‘I’m going to make this guy catch the ball and score a touchdown on me just for $25, $50 bets,'” he stated to ESPN. “Nah, that’s not even the type of person I am.”
After signing, he was placed on the reserve/suspended list by the Philadelphia Eagles in August. Reinstatement is not possible for him until after the Super Bowl.
In 2020, the 26-year-old was selected by the Colts in the sixth round. In his 45 career games (10 starts), he recorded 90 tackles, 10 passes defensed, four interceptions, four fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. In addition, he returned kicks for the club and scored one touchdown.
Since internet gambling has become more widely legalized in the US, the NFL has punished a number of players for gambling-related offenses. Two such players are wide receiver Calvin Ridley of the Jacksonville Jaguars (one year) and Jameson Williams of the Detroit Lions (six games).
