Bobref

In addition to the opportunity for a cash grab — which benefits everyone, including players — I think part of the NFL’s reasoning in embracing sports betting is simply bowing to the inevitable. Since the Goodell statement in 2015 quoted in the article, the flow toward public acceptance of gambling has become a tsunami. States legalizing sports betting, online opportunities in abundance, and most importantly, the explosion in popularity of fantasy football, all make gambling on football mainstream today. What was once considered shady, back room, under the table stuff is now family entertainment. Society’s mores changed. The NFL changed correspondingly. What’s the big deal? Why would anyone attribute some sort of nefarious motive to that? Did you know in Indiana, which has a state lottery, state licensed casinos, and legal sports betting, there are also laws on the books against illegal gambling operations. Is enforcement of those laws hypocritical? I don’t hear a lot of people beating that drum.

No idea what his financial situation. But these lawsuits will have 6 figure settlements. Some of those claim some pretty egregious stuff. Those might be more. We’ll never know for sure, because of the confidentiality provisions that will undoubtedly accompany the settlement agreements.

I can’t imagine a set of circumstances where Watson doesn’t do everything in his power to prevent any of these cases from ever seeing the light of day.

Let me add that Watson’s taking the Fifth in his deposition is significant. Texas, like most states, permits an “adverse inference” when a party takes the Fifth in a civil proceeding. That means that if a civil case goes to trial, the jury will be instructed that the defendant invoked his Fifth Amendment rights and, as a result, the jury may assume that if he had answered the questions truthfully, the answers would be unfavorable to his case.

Had he been indicted, I think his career might have been over. Because the burden of proof in a criminal case is so much more exacting than a civil case, a criminal conviction — even a guilty plea as part of an agreement — can be used by the victim as pretty much conclusive evidence in the civil case. But the grand jury’s failure to indict has no legal effect on the civil cases. They will go forward. And waiting at the end of that tunnel is the NFL. Let the depositions begin. And by that I mean the depositions of the claimants. Watson’s deposition was taken yesterday, and all he did was take the Fifth, unsurprisingly.

I don’t think Favre was a back to back MVP award winner in the two years before he was “pushed out.”

Reportedly, Jimmy G. headed to the Saints.

Ask and you shall receive. WARNING: NSFW

Wilson drove that trade. I doubt Wentz was the driver in the Colts’ trade.

You mean, “sounds like just about every other QB in the nfl, who is on a team that sucks.” I bet if you think about it, you’ll come up with the correlation.

It is even easier today for a player to affect the outcome of bets … because there are so many different forms of gambling, e.g., prop bets. Even if he were inclined, Ridley might not be able to influence the outcome of the game. Much easier, though, to influence a prop bet on the QB’s statistics, Ridley’s own statistics, etc.

Quod erat demonstrandum!

Any day that starts with some Latin is going to be a good one. Fot the uninitiated, res ipsa loquitur is a Latin phrase used in law. It means “the thing speaks for itself.”

https://www.si.com/nfl/washingtonfootball/news/washington-commanders-carson-wentz-philadelphia-eagles-indianapolis-colts-trade-leadership-issues-past#gid=ci029bcdcb60002795&pid=mitchell-trubisky “Concerns about Wentz go beyond the playing field. In fact, most don't deny the amount of actual talent the quarterback has. His weakness comes in the form of mental strength, and in his leadership...or lack thereof.”

Wentz had some skills, and some very nice stats, no arguing that. He fell flat in the biggest moments. No arguing that, either. But in the final analysis, I believe the issue is Wentz lacks the leadership qualities a QB needs. A QB has to lead. Doesn’t have to be a cheerleader. Doesn’t need to be vocal. But the people in the locker room have to have confidence in you, and they didn’t. Regardless of won/loss record, that’s why they’re cutting bait after 1 season.

And how would you know if you did see one?

🤣😂 I’d say @Muda69went a little further than that. He said it was on the way to becoming the WWE.

Word is that Mitchell Trubisky is going to sign a nice deal with the Giants, following his old OC, and that there were a number of teams ready to pay him well. If he goes to the Giants, he will start more games this season than Daniel Jones. Book it.

The two are inextricably intertwined, at least, in the minds of the owners. And do you really think the general population views sports gambling as tarnishing the league’s image? I don’t. Gambling is mainstream today. The fact that it is also extremely lucrative for the league doesn’t make it bad, or shady. It’s simply another form of entertainment.

At least it’s not going to be “Be sharp and play hard, men … according to how you bet the game.”

@Muda69will explain the “slippery slope.”

In this context, “integrity” does not relate to moral quality. Perhaps “legitimacy,” would have been a better choice of words. In other words, nothing that will discourage people from gambling because they don’t think the game is on the level. Strictly business.

People can certainly arrive at different conclusions on the morality issue. But it’s a no-brainer on the business side. It’s nothing more than a form of quality control over the product being sold for billions of dollars.

The slippery slope to what?

I get a lot of pictures taken with me already. But mostly it’s just people who want a picture of themselves in which they look good by comparison. 😉