Although our nation’s football teams have always provided an endless supply of on-pitch entertainment, it’s their players’ activities off the pitch that often cause the most lingering headlines.
Whether it’s doping scandals, or even unsavory allegations of players committing assault, it seems that many of our top athletes are unable to keep themselves out of the press. But recently there has been a noticeable trend of players getting in trouble through various casino-related activities, so here are some examples of what you may have missed.
One of the most high profile stories was the instance earlier this year of the NFL banning several top players from attending a poker tournament. This saw the Miami Dolphins stars AJ Francis, Jordan Cameron and Jason Fox all stopped from attending the Seminole Casino in Florida as a result of the NFL’s insistence that the players could be bringing the game into disrepute.
Such an occasion displays the somewhat over-protective stance that the NFL has often taken when it comes to gambling. Already there is a huge amount of controversy over the rise of fantasy sports betting that surrounds the game, and the fact that the NFL could bar three players from attending a relatively inauspicious $94 buy-in poker tournament shows just how controversial the activity is.
However, it’s the inconsistency in the way that the organization handles such affairs that has proved to be most frustrating for many players. This is especially so when other sports such as basketball have seen NBA stars such as Earl Barron win thousands of dollars in poker tournaments. Perhaps an easier way for NFL stars to game may be if they had tried playing the casino games online at Spin Palace. Not only do such sites provide more playing options, but the games routinely offer some spectacular winnings too.
Despite the complications that many NFL players face when it comes to casino activities, there are many who have enjoyed a more successful relationship. Most notably, one of Buffalo Bills most famous sons – Fred Smerlas – has recently found a way to spend his time much closer to casinos.
By opening the renowned Fred and Steve’s Steakhouse as part of a casino complex in Rhode Island with linebacker Steve DeOssie, the former-Bills nose tackle has provided a much more savory relationship between NFL and the casinos.
So for any NFL star looking to experience the excitement and glamour of the casinos, they’d better first check with their authorities that they aren’t breaching the league’s guidelines, or find an easier online alternative.
Filed under: National
Tagged with: Fred Smerlas, NFL
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