Former Ohio State offensive lineman, suspended for 6 games over NFL gambling policy, issues statement

Nicholas Petit-Frere, a former Ohio State offensive lineman now playing for the Tennessee Titans, has issued a statement after he was suspended 6 games for violating the NFL’s gambling policy.

Petit-Frere’s suspension comes as the NFL has disciplined multiple players amid a growing gambling issue in the NFL. The league also released clarifications and policies toward gambling by players, such as where they can and cannot gamble, and on what.

Petit-Frere was a 3rd round selection of the Titans and the 6-foot-5-inch, 316-pounder from Ohio State who played in 35 games with the Buckeyes and was a member of 3 consecutive Big Ten Conference championship teams.

Here is a statement Petit-Frere shared to ESPN:

“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. 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 Tennessee law. It is only being sanctioned because it occurred at the Titans facility.

I want to apologize to my family, coaches, teammates and the Titans fans. I have always strived in every stage of my 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.”

Keith Farner

Keith Farner has written about college football for newspapers and web sites since 2005.