Sports betting’s growing problem: What one college QB’s mistake teaches young athletes

Brendan Sorsby’s story shows how fast a single bad bet can upend a sports career. The Texas Tech quarterback, one of the most well-paid college players right now, recently checked into a clinic to treat a gambling problem. The NCAA is still figuring out his punishment, but past rulings suggest he might lose his eligibility for good. Unlike betting on pro teams, gambling on college sports—especially on your own team—comes with harsh consequences. Just weeks ago, two former Fordham basketball players were kicked out of college basketball forever for fixing games. Their mistake proves how quickly minor bets can become major disasters. Online sports betting is everywhere these days. Ads pop up on every screen, promising easy money. For college athletes with new financial freedom from NIL deals and revenue sharing, the temptation is even stronger. Gambling companies target young users aggressively, knowing how impressionable they can be. Kirby Smart, head coach at Georgia, has spoken about how hard it is to protect players from this constant exposure. “Kids today have money and apps on their phones, ” he said. “Back in my day, most couldn’t even afford to gamble. ” The mix of easy access and extra cash is creating risky situations.This isn’t just a college issue. The NFL has had multiple players suspended for gambling, including Calvin Ridley, who missed an entire season. The league’s rule is strict: bet on your team even once, and you’re out for at least two years. The NFL’s supplemental draft, a second chance for players who miss the main draft, isn’t likely to welcome Sorsby either. Experts say the league would likely block him. That means his NFL dreams could disappear faster than a turnover in the red zone. Senator Tommy Tuberville, a former coach himself, has seen this problem before. He used to tell his players to avoid agents, suspicious fans, and anyone asking about injuries—today, that list should include betting apps. “Online gambling didn’t exist when I coached, ” he said. “Now it’s everywhere, and it’s hurting kids who don’t understand the risks. ” Even with rules in place, the flood of ads and promotions makes it hard for athletes to resist. Past changes show how the system struggles to keep up. A while back, there was talk about allowing college athletes to bet on pro sports legally. The idea got support at first but was quickly shut down after public backlash. Under current rules, any sports betting by college players is off-limits. Still, the damage is done once the bets are placed. Once the NCAA rules on Sorsby’s case, his college career may be over. That’s a steep price for a mistake that started with a few small bets.