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History of the NFL and how it became the world's richest sports league
The NFL was formed in 1920 when 10 football teams came together in Canton, Ohio, and started the American Professional Football Association (APFA), now known as the NFL.
The NFL has been suspending players for gambling violations since the 1963 season. Paul Hornung and Alex Karras were suspended for the 1963 season but eventually ended up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But the league has suspended 10 players this year alone for either betting on NFL games or placing bets while on league property. The NFL ramped up efforts this offseason to better educate players and especially rookies on where and when they can bet and what they can bet on.
1963
FILE - Paul Hornung, Green Bay Packer back, has a lot of room as he goes over for a touchdown from the 7 yard line in the first quarter of the Packer-Minnesota Viking game. (Getty Images)
Green Bay HB Paul Hornung: The 1986 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was suspended for the season for betting on league games.
Detroit DT Alex Karras: The 2020 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame also was suspended for the season for betting on league games.
FILE - 1974: Alex Karras promotional photo for ABC tv series 'Monday Night Football'. (American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images)
1983
FILE - Art Schlichter #10 of the Ohio State Buckeyes calls a timeout during an NCAA football game against Stanford University played on Sept. 26, 1981, at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. (David Madison/Getty Images)
Baltimore QB Art Schlichter: Suspended for the season for betting on at least 10 NFL games as a rookie. He returned in 1984 and played 10 games for Indianapolis before his career ended.
2019
FILE - Arizona Cardinals cornerback Josh Shaw (27) runs a drill during the Arizona Cardinals training camp on July 26, 2019, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Arizona CB Josh Shaw: Suspended Nov. 29 for gambling on an NFL game while on injured reserve. He has not played in the league since.
2022
FILE - Calvin Ridley #0 of the Jacksonville Jaguars speaks to the Media during Training Camp at Miller Electric Center on August 03, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Atlanta WR Calvin Ridley. Suspended for the entire season. The 26th pick of the 2018 draft was punished for gambling on NFL games in 2021 while away from the Falcons addressing mental health concerns. He was reinstated in March 2023 and now plays for Jacksonville.
Dec. 23:
FILE - Miles Austin #19 of the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium on Nov. 8, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Jets wide receivers coach Miles Austin: Suspended for a year for betting on non-NFL sports. Jets coach Robert Saleh said in January 2023 that Austin would not return to the staff when reinstated by the league.
2023
April 21:
FILE - Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus (87) is seen during the second half of the preseason NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Friday, August 27, 2021. (Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Detroit WR Quintez Cephus, Detroit S C.J. Moore and Washington DE Shaka Toney: Suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games in the 2022 season. Detroit released both Cephus and Moore following their suspensions.
Detroit WR Jameson Williams, the 12th overall pick of the 2022 draft, and WR Stanley Berryhill: Suspended six games each. Detroit released Berryhill after the suspension.
FILE - Jameson Williams #9 of the Detroit Lions walks off the field after the preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 20, 2022, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
June 29:
FILE - Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr. (34) warms up before the NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 26, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Indianapolis CB Isaiah Rodgers Sr., DE Rashod Berry, DT Demetrius Taylor: Suspended indefinitely. The Colts waived all three soon after the trio was suspended for gambling on NFL games last season. None can seek reinstatement until after the season.
FILE - Nicholas Petit-Frere #78 of the Tennessee Titans in action during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on Jan. 07, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida. (Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images)
Tennessee RT Nicholas Petit-Frere: Suspended six games for betting while at an NFL facility as a rookie. Because of the Titans' bye, he won't be able to play again until Oct. 29 when Tennessee hosts Atlanta.
July 24:
FILE - Eyioma Uwazurike #96 of the Denver Broncos after a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on August 20, 2022, in Orchard Park, New York. (Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Denver DE Eyioma Uwazurike: Suspended indefinitely for betting on league games during the 2022 season while a rookie. He can petition for reinstatement July 24, 2024.