The NFL has suspended Nicholas Petit-Frere and Rashod Berry for violating the league’s gambling policy.
Berry has been suspended indefinitely through at least the 2023 season for betting on NFL games, while Petit-Frere has been suspended six games for betting on non-NFL sports at the Tennessee Titans’ facility. Petit-Frere will be eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason activities, including preseason games, while Berry will be eligible to apply for reinstatement after the 2023 season.
NFL officially suspends three more players for the entire 2023 season and another for 6 games for violating the leagues gambling policy pic.twitter.com/lWpNIIdnIs
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) June 29, 2023
Petit-Frere shared a statement with ESPN’s Adam Schefter before the NFL’s official announcement.
Titans OT Nicholas Petit-Frere is being suspended six games for violating the NFLs gambling policy. Petit-Frere is adamant that he did not bet on NFL games. But he is being suspended for betting on other sports at the workplace.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 29, 2023
His statement to ESPN: pic.twitter.com/mvXfig5V10
"Firstly, I wanted to say that it's an honor to play in the NFL, and it has been a blessing to play this game," Petit-Frere said. "The NFL plans to announce another round of sanctions regarding its gambling policies, and I will be included in this group of players receiving a six-game suspension. The betting I engaged in was NOT NFL related and was legal under Tennesee law. It is only being sanctioned because it occurred at the Titans facility.
"I want to apologize to my family, coaches, teammates and Titans fans. I have always strived in every stage of life to follow the rules. I did not knowingly break the rules. Even after attending a league presentation, I was unaware about the specifics around placing bets from a team facility. ... I will do everything in my power to help the team during training camp and will be prepared when I return to the roster during the season."
Petit-Frere was selected No. 69 overall in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft by Tennessee after three years with the Buckeyes, capped off with a first-team All-Big Ten and second-team All-American season in 2021, where he allowed two sacks across 12 starts.
After an impressive run at rookie minicamp, OTAs and training camp, Petit-Frere was named a Week 1 starter at tackle for the Titans and held that position until an ankle injury forced him to miss the team's Week 17 matchup. Overall, the 6-foot-5, 315-pound lineman appeared in 97% of Tennessee's offensive snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus, who offered him a 52.3 cumulative grade for his 16 performances.
Berry, who was signed by the Colts in January, was waived by the Colts along with his teammate Isaiah Rodgers, who also received an indefinite suspension for betting on NFL games, following Thursday’s announcement. He wrote in a statement that he “made a huge mistake and I’m taking full responsibility for my actions.”
— (@Shoddieslime_13) June 29, 2023
Berry, who has previously played for the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars, has not appeared in a regular-season NFL game since 2021. A tight end for most of his career at Ohio State, where Berry collected 17 receptions for 198 yards and four touchdowns across five seasons with the Buckeyes, Berry has played as a defensive end and outside linebacker in the NFL.
