University of Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz has said that the school will appeal the suspension of Noah Shannon for his involvement in sports betting.
Shannon admitted placing at least one wager on a Hawkeyes team playing another sport
Shannon, who hast started 28 games for the team and is listed as No.1 at left defensive tackle, admitted that he had made at least one wager on a Hawkeyes team playing in another sport. While, betting in this way is a breach of NCAA regulations that could lead to permanent ineligibility, Ferentz believes that the punishment does not fit the infraction.
Ferentz told reporters:
“In Noah’s case, he has not committed a crime at all. Nothing criminal. I just feel like it’s a little bit harsh. I think it’s punitive, me personally, and I’m hopeful they’ll reconsider his case.”
He also voiced his frustration that Iowa and Iowa State players were targeted by the investigation:
“For whatever reason we’re the lucky ones, we’re the chosen ones. We got to really benefit from this whole deal. I’m really not sure what the point was.
I have a respect for the law. Don’t misunderstand that. I have high respect for the law. But I’m not sure I understand what happened.”
On August 11th of this year, Shannon stated that he had cooperated with the investigation and admitted the rule breach immediately:
“They’re taking their time doing their investigation, and I can’t be mad at them for that. I mean, I broke a rule. I owned up to it.”
Players are charged with committing aggravated misdemeanors which could see them face as much as two years in prison.
Shannon’s teammates, kicker Aaron Blom and receiver Jack Johnson, have been charged with tampering with records as part of the investigation. In both cases, the players are believed to have placed wagers using sports betting apps registered to another person. The charges also include placing wagers while under the legal age for sports betting which is 21 in the state of Iowa.
The players are charged with committing aggravated misdemeanors which could see them face as much as two years in prison. In both cases, the players are suspected of placing wagers on Iowa football games.
The Iowa athletic department has said that, as a direct result of the investigation, 11 athletes will have their eligibility impacted. These athletes have not been named.
Iowa State players charged
News of the suspension follows charges brought against Iowa State University players Jirehl Brock, Isaiah Lee, Hunter Dekkers, Jacob Remsburg and DeShawn Hanika. Both Brock and Lee have left the football program as a result of the charges.
Since 2018 the NCAA found 175 infractions of sports betting rules while there are currently 17 investigations underway.
At present legal & regulated sports betting is available in 35 US states.
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