Broncos’ Eyioma Uwazurike suspended indefinitely for gambling policy violation

The NFL suspended Denver Broncos defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike indefinitely for violating the league’s gambling policy, becoming the 10th player disciplined for breaking the league’s rules on sports gambling since the 2022 season ended.

The league said in the announcement that Uwazurike bet on NFL games during the 2022 season and that he would be eligible for reinstatement “no earlier than July 24, 2024.” 

“We were informed by the NFL today that Eyioma Uwazurike has been suspended by the league indefinitely for violating its gambling policy,” the team said in a statement. “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.”

While Uwazurike is suspended, he won’t count toward the Broncos’ 90-man offseason roster. 

He was drafted by the Broncos in the fourth round in 2022, and he recorded 17 tackles last year while appearing in eight games. 

The NFL’s gambling policy prohibits team and league staff as well as the players from betting on sports while at team facilities, which includes stadiums that have onsite sportsbooks.

The rule also prevents players from placing bets while traveling with their respective teams. 

NFL players can’t bet on NFL games, but the policy does allow them to place bets on other sporting events in other leagues as long as they don’t do it from a team facility. 

Broncos head coach Sean Payton had previously said that the organization had gone to great lengths to educate its players on the league’s gambling policy. 

“We got a packet from the league. Obviously, when policies change, it’s our job to educate [the players],” Payton said at the time, according to ESPN. “[Vice president of football operations & compliance] Mark Thewes was awesome. We’re professional teachers. The packet we received, we looked at, studied [it] closely and then we presented it in our own PowerPoint. I probably had 20 minutes on it to really make sure everyone has it.”

Then-Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley was one of the first players to be suspended for violating the league’s policy, with the infraction costing him the entire 2022 season. 

In April, four players from the Detroit Lions and one from the Washington Commanders were suspended, and in June another four players were disciplined because of it.

Isaiah Rodgers and Rashod Berry of the Indianapolis Colts and free agent Demetrius Taylor were suspended.

Rodgers and Berry were cut from the team.

Tennessee Titans tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere was handed a six-game suspension in June, too. 

The NFL has made it a point this year to be vigilant in enforcing the policy.