In this era of constant exposure through the internet and social media, the lines of criticism and criminal harassment often blur. Last year, after the Louisville Cardinals lost to Cal in overtime, a Texas gambler sent death threats to both Cardinals QB1 Miller Moss and head coach Jeff Brohm. Now, in a significant development, the man who threatened them has pleaded guilty, bringing a measure of justice for Moss and Brohm.

According to reports, a Texas sports gambler, identified as Brian S. Mandel, pleaded guilty to threatening head coach Jeff Brohm and Miller Moss. Mandel is a former vice chair of the Corpus Christi Planning Commission and is a “stranger” to both Moss and Brohm. As per court records, Mandel has now pleaded guilty to one count of “terroristic threatening” after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Mandel was originally indicted on six counts of terroristic threatening, along with one count of attempted theft by extortion involving more than $10,000. As part of his plea agreement, the case was later reduced to a single terroristic threatening charge. According to court records, his first threatening message was sent on November 8 at around 11 p.m., shortly after Louisville’s overtime loss to California.

“I am going to find and kill you and your entire (expletive) family, you piece of (expletive),” the message read. University of Louisville Police redacted the further messages that showed Mandel making terroristic threats against Brohm, his wife, and his children. In all, court records show that the text messages contained “fear of death or serious physical injury,” and Mandel has now resigned from the coastal Texas city’s planning commission.

Another message widely circulated shows Mandel threatening Miller Moss for his performance in his Cal game. “I am going to spend the rest of my life making yours miserable. You cost me $80,000 last night,” the message started. “You can either pay me or suffer the consequences — (redacted). They will all suffer.” The indictment listed six victims in total, all of whom were described as strangers to Mandel.

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The Cardinals lost the Cal game in overtime, and Moss managed to pass for just 203 yards. The Cardinals QB1 completed 20 of his 38 passes and also threw an interception, earning a meager 28.4 QB rating. That doesn’t mean fans should normalize condemnable acts. Mandel’s case looks like a much-needed deterrent step in curbing death threats and hooliganism in sports, although the NCAA still has a lot to improve.

Student-Athletes form united front against prop betting

With Brian S. Mandel pleading guilty, the case has opened discussions regarding accountability in betting. Recently, the Big Ten Student-Athlete Advisory Committee sent a passionate request to the NCAA, seeking a ban on or restriction of prop bets. The commission’s message stressed that those making money on an athlete’s career don’t hold back when things go wrong. 

“There are fans that sit behind the bench yelling horrible things when expectations are not met, and the keyboard warriors not in attendance send cruel DMs to players when bets do not cash out,” the commission’s statement reads. “Prop bets are a direct avenue to the overwhelming number of death threats that student-athletes receive if they ‘ruin a parlay’ or cause a fan to lose their bet. Sports betting does not give anyone the right to dehumanize athletes.”

Mandel’s case is a stark example of the growing problem of gambling-related harassment targeting student-athletes. According to a report, a third of D1 basketball players were subjected to online harassment related to sports betting. Moreover, around 16% of college football players received threatening statements after things go south in a game. And the perpetrators don’t care if the athlete is 18 years old or in the early 20s. The NCAA now faces immense pressure to take tangible action to protect its athletes from such abuse.