Tag: Investigative Journalism

The strange saga of Arizona Cardinals safety Josh Shaw has taken another interesting turn.

The safety, who was suspended Friday through at least the 2020 season for gambling on NFL games, bet against his own team, according to an ESPN report.

From the ESPN report: "A three-team parlay that included an Arizona Cardinals game led the NFL in part to suspend Cardinals defensive back Josh Shaw for violating the league's gambling policy, multiple sources told ESPN. Shaw, who has been on injured reserve in August and has not played since signing with the Cardinals last March, made the parlay bet on Sunday, Nov. 10 at a Caesars sportsbook in Las Vegas, according to the sources. The bet was on the second halves of three Week 10 games, the sources said, and included the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were leading the Cardinals 17-13 at halftime. The Buccaneers were 1-point favorites for the second half. They failed to cover the second-half spread but went on to defeat the Cardinals 30-27. Shaw's bet lost, according to the sources."

Shaw, a fifth-year player out of USC, has been on injured reserve since Aug. 25 because of a shoulder injury. He signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals in March, and will become a free agent following the season.

An NFL investigation uncovered that no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised, according to a statement released by the NFL announcing his suspension, adding there was no evidence "suggesting any awareness by teammates, coaches or other players of his betting activity."

"The continued success of the NFL depends directly on each of us doing everything necessary to safeguard the integrity of the game and the reputations of all who participate in the league," Commissioner Roger Goodell said in the statement. "At the core of this responsibility is the longstanding principle that betting on NFL games, or on any element of a game, puts at risk the integrity of the game, damages public confidence in the NFL, and is forbidden under all circumstances.

"If you work in the NFL in any capacity, you may not bet on NFL football." 

Shaw can petition for reinstatement on or after Feb. 15, 2021. 

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Shaw went to a casino in Las Vegas this fall and "placed sports bets for the (first) time based on misinterpreted understanding of the Supreme Court ruling."

He flew to New York immediately upon notice of his suspension to meet with the league, and he has cooperated fully. "He considers it an innocent mistake with a severe outcome," Rapoport tweeted. 

The suspension is also notable for its rareness.

The last time an NFL player was suspended for betting was Baltimore Colts quarterback Art Schlichter in 1983, according to the Associated Press. He was reinstated the following year.

The most recent disciplinary action was in 1996, when Ravens backup quarterback Jon Stark was placed on leave with pay while the league investigated, according to the Associated Press.

This is also not Shaw's first suspension, although the previous instance came in college.

During his senior season at USC, Shaw was suspended after lying about how he injured his ankles.

Shaw had originally told school he got hurt jumping from a balcony into a pool to save a drowning child.

Later, it was revealed that he had jumped from a balcony to avoid police, who had been called to investigate an argument between Shaw and his girlfriend. He did not face domestic-violence charges. 

In 2015, the Bengals selected Shaw in the fourth round with the 120th pick of the draft.