With their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, the Jets were dealt another blow Friday, losing wide receivers coach Miles Austin to a yearlong suspension for violating the NFL’s gambling policy.
Austin is not believed to have bet on any NFL games, according to Tom Pelissero, though he did wager on other sports, which, apparently, is still against league rules. A two-time Pro Bowler during his playing career for the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles, Austin has been on the Jets’ staff since last year, following head coach Robert Saleh (who he worked with in San Francisco) to New York.
A Garfield, New Jersey native who graduated from nearby Monmouth University (he finished his degree in 2019), Austin plans to appeal his suspension. Austin’s ban comes a year after Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley (now of the Jaguars) faced similar discipline for betting a reported $1,500 on games, though never against his own team. That penalty was seen as excessive, particularly when juxtaposed with the 11-game suspension that resulted from Deshaun Watson’s sexual assault scandal.
The NFL’s hard stance on betting could be perceived as hypocritical considering its partnerships with DraftKings, FanDuel and Caesars Sportsbook, among other gambling entities. Austin issued a response through his attorney, Bill Deni, who claims the 38-year-old used a mobile account to legally wager on table games and non-NFL sports. “Miles did not wager on any NFL game in violation of the Gambling Policy for Personnel,” the statement reads. “He has been fully cooperative with the NFL’s investigation.”
The controversy comes with the Jets fighting for their playoff lives, dropping to 7-8 following Thursday’s loss to Jacksonville, their fourth straight after starting the year 7-4. With Mike White injured and Zach Wilson benched for his poor performance Thursday night, it’s anyone’s guess who the Jets will turn to at quarterback when they visit the Seahawks on New Year’s Day.
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