Detroit fans were already stunned by the news: federal prosecutors in New York linked former Pistons star Chauncey Billups to rigged, mob-connected poker games. But for longtime Detroit sportswriter Lynn Henning, the shock isn’t just about the accusations — it’s about the hypocrisy behind them.
Henning took to social media to slam what he calls the “vile and disgusting” double standard in professional sports. Teams are now partnered tightly with betting brands like FanDuel, flashing odds during live games and filling broadcasts with gambling ads — all while players face harsh punishment for touching anything betting-related.
He points out the contradiction: icons like Pete Rose were exiled for gambling, while today’s leagues are “in bed with betting houses” and loving the money that comes with it.
Detroit has lived this reality up close. From Alex Karras decades ago to more recent suspensions of Jameson Williams and C.J. Moore, Lions players have paid the price for gambling violations. Yet those same games are broadcast through networks owned by gambling companies.
Henning says fans see the problem loud and clear — and they’re tired of being treated like they don’t. The sports world, he argues, wants to profit from wagering while pretending it still occupies the moral high ground.
As the Billups investigation unfolds, one thing is certain: the battle over sports, integrity, and gambling has only just begun… and the smell of hypocrisy is getting harder to ignore.
Detroit Writer Calls Out Sports’ “Dirty Marriage” With Gambling After Billups Bombshell
