National Football League

Dozens of NFL players could be in hot water over arm wrestling contest

Published Apr. 9, 2017 2:06 p.m. ET

Nick Schwartz

More than 30 current and former NFL players - including Maurkice Pouncey, Marquette King, Mychal Kendricks, Navarro Bowman, Jamon Brown and Howard Jones - visited Las Vegas this weekend to participate in the inaugural “Pro Football Arm Wrestling Championship” at the MGM Hotel and Casino. Those involved could now be facing discipline from the NFL.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSnKjktFGas/

James Harrison and Marshawn Lynch served as co-hosts of the event. According to USA TODAY, no players sought approval from the NFL before participating in the event, which was in violation of NFL rules as it took place inside a casino.

Via USA TODAY:

"The NFL’s gambling policy, of course, prohibits players from appearing at casinos as part of promotional events. According to the NFL, players participating in this specific event — without pre-approval — are in violation of the gambling policy and subject to discipline.

“Had we been asked in advance if this was acceptable, we would have indicated that it was in direct violation of the gambling policy,” Joe Lockhart, the NFL’s executive vice president for communications and public affairs, told USA TODAY Sports. “No one sought pre-approval.”