Sports Betting contributed to Release of Cowboys' Randle

Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle had a bizarre exit from the team last season. And new reports suggest that a big reason for Randle’s departure has to do with his sports betting.

Randle, who started the first six games for Dallas last season, reportedly bet on sports while he was still a member of the team. At this point, there’s no evidence suggesting that he wagered on NFL games, which he could have also influenced. But the sports betting was just another blow to Randle’s deteriorating character.

“All of that became apparent to us right during the season,” said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. “Not before the season. It became real acute, a combination of things. Some issues … became more apparent.”

Dallas News, which broke this story, asked Jones if he thought Randle could have bet on NFL games.

“Not to my knowledge, not in any way,” Jones said.

Regardless of if the wagers were made on other sports, the National Football League is adamantly against players engaging in sports betting. About the only form of sports gambling that they tolerate is fantasy sports, which Jones has a stake in as part owners of DraftKings.

“There are certain types of gambling that you can’t do as a player,” Jones explained: “Obviously you can’t be involved in … anything that we’re competing in, and I’ve never heard of anything like that.”

The official league policy on sports betting states the “NFL opposes all forms of illegal gambling, as well as legal betting on NFL games or other professional, college or Olympic sports. Such activity negatively affects the interests, welfare and integrity of the NFL, its games, clubs, players and coaches, and diminishes public confidence in legitimate sport.”

Gambling was also involved when Randle was arrested at a Kansas casino back in November. The 24-year-old was asked to leave Kansas Star Casino for his behavior; he initially left, but then re-entered the casino and began arguing with security guards.

Regarding Randle’s personal life, he was recently arrested for the fourth time in the past 17 months on an outstanding speeding warrant. The Cowboys have become worried about his well-being, as has the NFL Players Association. Both organizations have reached out to the troubled player, but Randle has refused the help.