homarjr t1_jbafeb5 wrote on March 7, 2023 at 5:08 PM

Reply to comment by Massive-Particular51 in NFL reinstates Ridley from gambling suspension. by PrincessBananas85

When the rules are stupid and hypocritical you can feel bad for a guy not just breaking them but also being punished pretty harshly for it.

Imagine you got a $5000 fine for jaywalking, or something.

Massive-Particular51 t1_jbafyfp wrote on March 7, 2023 at 5:11 PM

But this isn’t that. Athletes gambling on their own sport clearly approaches some ethical boundaries and these dudes are lectured every year about what they can do and what happens if they break the rules. Idk I just don’t think his punishment was that bad considering who knew full well what could happen if he’s caught.

homarjr t1_jbagxoo wrote on March 7, 2023 at 5:18 PM

Yeah he knew, he didn't complain about it.

But to have all those ads and revenue specifically from gambling, and even sportscasters talking about point spreads on air now....

It's overkill. People beat their wives and get less reprimanded.

Massive-Particular51 t1_jbajbeb wrote on March 7, 2023 at 5:33 PM

Idk if I feel it’s overkill or not. Like I understand what you’re saying but it’s not crazy to expect adults to not gamble even when your employer advertises for it.

homarjr t1_jbaqule wrote on March 7, 2023 at 6:21 PM

I guess I just don't care about athletes gambling, as long as they're not involved in the game. It feels a bit outdated to be so harshly against it.

And to an extent, even if they are in the game. There's a famous story of Matt Hasselbeck benching himself in his fantasy league and then he threw 4 touchdowns.

Massive-Particular51 t1_jbau9a7 wrote on March 7, 2023 at 6:42 PM

I do remember hearing that.

I get it what you’re saying tho. As someone who sports gambles it doesn’t really bother me if an athlete does bc I doubt the winnings they would take from “throwing games” or something would be bigger than their actual paycheck. However because it’s such a grey area and I imagine pretty hard to regulate and enforce, I can empathize why professional sports leagues would not allow it at all and be so harsh about it.