San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason injured his shoulder during a win over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night. Angry sports bettors are furious with how the sequence of events surrounding his health played out.
They genuinely believe the NFL rigged its bets to ensure that Mason would not continue.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan discussed his primary ball-carrier (until Christian McCaffrey returns) during his postgame press conference. It is too early to tell how long he might be out, if at all.
You never know. Adrenaline on these days, during games, is a little different. We’ll find out tomorrow when that’s down and get X-rays.
— Kyle Shanahan
Mason is currently the leading rusher in the NFL with 609 yards this season. He has done a fantastic job in McCaffrey’s absence and was off to another great start on Thursday.
The former undrafted free agent had eight carries for 65 yards in the first half. However, Mason left the game with an injury on San Francisco’s final offensive drive in the second quarter and went back into the locker room. There was no indication as to whether or not he would return.
Here’s where gambling comes into play.
Sportsbooks listed Mason’s rushing yards total in a range of Over/Under 78.5-82.5 prior to kickoff. He was most of the way there at the end of the first half and returned to the sideline in a helmet to begin the third quarter.
Jordan Mason back out with helmet on! pic.twitter.com/dF2rWKlFkw
— John Chapman (@JL_Chapman) October 11, 2024
Mason received clearance to stay in the game so Shanahan gave him the ball on the first play. The carry went for eight yards. It brought his rushing total to 73 yards, which was right on pace to hit the Over.
But Mason never returned.
He thought he was going to be alright, he went back in and it just hurt so much so he went back out, I think it was the first play. And then he was out just in case of emergency.
— Kyle Shanahan
Bettors who took the Over were furious. Their bets did not hit because Jordan Mason did not get another touch for the rest of the game. That’s how gambling works.
And yet, the conspiracy theorists on X genuinely believe the NFL rigged San Francisco’s injury management to ensure that Over bettors would not cash their bets. They think that the league forced the 49ers to give Mason a singular carry in the second half so it wouldn’t have to void any bets.
“Jordan Mason comes in for 1 carry to start half, wont play again, the NFL is so corrupt, working for the books” — @PS2DPOY
“This is the most suspect thing I’ve seen in a long time.” — @DESistheCoach
“This is very suspicious” — @love_kojo1
“Yeah they f—– me. MAFIA RUNS THE BOOKS” — @RebuildFF
“Never seen something so rigged” — @fazoski
These people are not smart. They probably should not be gambling.
The NFL did not rig Jordan Mason’s injury because too many people bet on his Over…