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The NFL is seemingly cracking down on gambling violations right now as multiple players across the league are facing suspension.
It was recently reported that the league was suspending multiple players, but didn’t name anybody other than the Indianapolis Colts’ cornerback Isaiah Rodgers.
Now, more names are coming to light and one of them is the Tennessee Titans’ very own Nicholas Petit-Frere.
Petit-Frere is projected to be the starting right tackle this coming season. However, according to Adam Schefter, the league is suspending the Titans’ young tackle for six games due to violating the gambling policy.
He left a lengthy statement regarding the issue, claiming he wasn’t betting on NFL games and that he received a six game suspension because he placed bets at the team facilities.
Nicholas Petit-Frere also claims he did not know placing bets at team facilities was a violation at the time. “Even after attending a league presentation, I was unaware about the specifics around placing bets from a team facility.”
Titans’ OT Nicholas Petit-Frere is being suspended six games for violating the NFL’s gambling policy. Petit-Frere is adamant that he did not bet on NFL games. But he is being suspended for betting on other sports at the workplace.
His statement to ESPN: pic.twitter.com/mvXfig5V10
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 29, 2023
Shortly after, the Titans released a statement of their own about Petit-Frere’s gambling policy violation and suspension, per Buck Reising.
The franchise makes it clear they do not believe Nicholas Petit-Frere was not intentionally trying to jeopardize the integrity of the league.
Titans statement on NPF pic.twitter.com/ToR89Jty3g
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) June 29, 2023
This isn’t the first time someone claimed to not know the rules clearly. So, perhaps the NFL and teams need to do a better job explaining what’s a violation and what isn’t.
Meanwhile, this is a brutal blow to the Titans. They already have offensive line woes and losing a projected starter for the first six games is not ideal.
At the very least, he’ll be able to return in Week 7. Five other players in the NFL are currently facing full season suspensions.
So, although the Titans lose one player due to a gambling suspension, it’s certainly not the worst-case scenario for this team.