Sports betting has come full circle for Paul Hornung.
Hornung, the Hall of Fame Packers running back who was suspended from the NFL for the entire 1963 season for gambling, has lived long enough to see sports betting celebrated. Today in Indiana, which has just legalized sports betting, Hornung is placing the ceremonial first bet at a new sports book.
Commissioner Pete Rozelle initially suspended Hornung indefinitely in 1963, and as part of his deal to get back to the NFL, he agreed not only not to be involved with anyone betting on football, but also to stop traveling to Las Vegas and not attend the Kentucky Derby, which he had always done since his childhood in Louisville.
Now the NFL is getting ready to put a team in Las Vegas, gambling has become an accepted part of football fandom, and Hornung can place a bet legally in a state where until this month it had been illegal.
Congratulations Paul. Progress cannot be stopped, except here in Paul’s native Kentucky where we will undoubtedly be the 50th state to allow sports gambling. But hey, we have the Ark Park portraying cavemen riding dinosaurs.
As a close friend of the organization, Paul Hornung is a class act and just was put in a tough situation. Happy to see this
An active player will still be suspended for betting on NFL games if caught.
Rewarding a guy caught breaking the rules with this dubious honor is a bunch of crap
Pete Rose says, huh, imagine that.
Well, I think a bigger issue may have been in 1963 players were not paid in the same universe as today even adjusting for inflation. I honestly don’t think it was a huge stretch to think that a player could be compromised then. However, gambling being legal then or now wouldn’t really change that- someone who would throw a game for money will do it regardless of bets going through a bookie or a legal book.
With that said, I also don’t know that football of all sports you could really even have an effect since it’s such a team game.
And with ALL that said- I support legalized gambling. Players in all sports make wayyyy to much money to be able to have any effect. The amount would would have to pay a starting player to throw a game, and consequently bet on that game to recoup your money would throw up red flags at the books for the action on a regular season game as I think would be hard pressed to get a player to throw a playoff game. If you some how did get one to throw a playoff game it would prob take a bribe in the high 6 or even into 7 figures. I think you may even have difficulty finding a book to take the action you would need to bet. Again, red flags would go up.
“Commissioner Pete Rozelle initially suspended Hornung indefinitely in 1963, and as part of his deal to get back to the NFL, he agreed not only not to be involved with anyone betting on football, but also to stop traveling to Las Vegas and not attend the Kentucky Derby, which he had always done since his childhood in Louisville.”
Almost sounds like Rozelle and the NFL were tougher on players then than now?
Can you imagine telling AB that he can’t go to Vegas or use social media to continue to play in the NFL?
Cue the outrage…..
Notorious cheater/gambling on games can’t stop. The Pete rose of football
How fitting since he, along with Alex Karras, was suspended in April 1963 for sports betting and reinstated in March 1964.
I think he and Karras were suspended for betting ON their own teams to win besides. Still, I do kinds wish the NFL weren’t so buddy-buddy with organized gaming. Just my opinion… there is billions of dollars involved and human nature being what it is….
Interpretation: 1st person to lose money ceremoniously gambling.
When it’s a Marketing Ploy you are guaranteed to win!
Whatever Hornung got himself involved with way back when, pales in comparison to the crap these players get away with now. Just imagine if a clinically depressed Hornung had threatened a room full of hotel employees with a gun. Do you think he would’ve finished his career? Not by a long shot.
He got busted betting the Vikings would win a championship within his lifetime. RIP Paul.
He bet on the Vikings to beat his pack this weekend
Yup, Kentucky will be the last state to allows sports gambling. It will also be the last state to legalize weed- even thought this state could be making millions in revenue as a cash crop. Bunch of backwards morons live here.
Please don’t compare Hornung to Pete Rose either. I don’t remember Hornung getting caught betting on his own team while he was still a player.
You hit it right on the head, Steller!
Can’t wait for Josh Gordon to ceremonially spark up when they legalize marijuana in the league. There will be a huge crowd of NFL players with him!
All class, as usual.
Met him and max McGee last month at a brewers game. Good guys
Viking fan: You reap what you sow.
As do we all. What’s your point? Are you trying to claim moral high ground after relentlessly mocking someone who had mental health issues?
I’m not mocking the guy. He shouldn’t be playing. He should be getting the help he needs, but the Vikings have too much money tied up in him so he gets a free pass. Now…..compare threatening harm with a gun in a public space with what Hornung did. Don’t forget, Hornung was suspended for a year. Players today get away with just about anything. That was my point. Sorry it was lost on you.
What, do you want him to be committed to an asylum? He missed five weeks after the incident getting the help he needs, he had an entire offseason, and he seems to be doing just fine right now. You want him to be suspended for a mental breakdown?
And stop making it sound like he was pointing a gun at someone. There was no gun.
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Not a member? Register now!