In a shocking revelation this Monday, Broncos defensive lineman, Eyioma Uwazurike, was handed a one-year suspension. Although, according to Broncos head coach Sean Payton, the linesman is not the only one to be blamed.
Why Was Eyioma Uwazurike Suspended?
In 2022, Uwazarike became a fourth-round draft pick for the Denver Broncos. He had a remarkable senior season at Iowa State, earning first-team All-Big-12 honours with 12 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Standing tall at 6-foot-6 and weighing 316 pounds, Eyioma Uwazarike was considered one of the best nose tackles in the draft.
According to NFL’s policy on betting, Uwazurike’s decision to place wagers on games has landed him in some seriously hot water. The linesman is facing a year-long suspension for the remainder of 2023. In the last two years, eleven players, including Uwazarike, have been suspended for sports betting. Out of these players, five have been suspended for a year or more due to their involvement in betting on NFL games. Broncos released a statement informing the public of Eyioma Uwazurike’s suspension.
“We were informed by the NFL today that Eyioma Uwazurike has been suspended by the league indefinitely for violating its gambling policy. Our organization fully cooperated with this investigation and takes matters pertaining to the integrity of the game very seriously. The Denver Broncos will continue to provide all members of our organization with the necessary education, resources and support to ensure compliance with the NFL’s Gambling Policy.”
Payton Calls Out NFL’s Hypocrisy Over Betting Scandal
As per USA Today, Broncos head coach Sean Payton has called out the double standards of the NFL towards betting. In an explosive statement, Payton pointed out that Eyioma Uwazurike shouldn’t carry this burden alone.
“When you have a bunch of players getting D’s, you have to start looking at the message. And we’ve had a lot of D’s in our league this year with this policy.”
Payton said, adding that his own yearlong suspension for Bountygate prevented him from talking to coaches and players.
“And we’re going to send them home for a year, where they can’t be around. The idea that you just go away, shame on us. Do we want these young men to still have a chance to learn from their mistakes?”
The Broncos head coach also pointed out the complicated betting policies of the league. He stated how it took him 20 minutes to explain the betting policies to his players during a team meeting.
“It’s not the policy, but it’s the implementation, the understanding, and the educating of the policy. I presented a week and a half ago, and now someone officially will present. Hopefully, it won’t be from that eight-page handout we received because that was more confusing after I read it than it was before I looked at it.”
The Broncos defensive line room would lack depth without Eyioma Uwazurike. Zach Allen and DJ Jones, who are among the team’s major free-agent acquisitions in recent years, have secured starting positions. It is likely that Mike Purcell, who is 32 years old, will resume his role as a nose tackle for the upcoming season.
