Accused of Gambling, Patriots’ Kayshon Boutte ‘Still on Team’, Says Jerod Mayo

During last month’s annual NFL meeting, Patriots HC Jerod Mayo addressed the legal situation involving New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte. Mayo’s statement shed light on the team’s stance amidst allegations of illegal online gambling against Boutte.

Mayo stated, “We’re continuing to gather information on that. He is still on the team, and hopefully we can continue to develop this player, and really develop him as a man as well going forward.”

Mayo’s acknowledgment of Boutte’s youth and mistakes portrays a compassionate approach to the situation. He emphasized, “It’s important to remember, some of these guys are very young and they’ve made mistakes in the past. It’s easy to just throw them away but there are certain instances where you’re like, ‘All right, I can help this guy out’.”

As per NFL news, Boutte’s troubles stem from his time at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he stands accused of creating an online betting account under a fake name and placing over 8,900 illegal bets, including wagers on NCAA football games. Some of these bets allegedly took place while Boutte was underage, violating gambling laws.

Reports suggest that Boutte’s betting activities led to significant winnings, exceeding $500,000. However, instead of stopping, Boutte reportedly used most of the winnings to place additional bets, exacerbating the situation.

Despite the allegations, Boutte, now 21 years old, remains listed on the Patriots’ roster. Following his arrest on charges of computer fraud and illegal gambling, Boutte surrendered to authorities and was released on bond. The legal consequences for these charges could include fines and potential prison time.

The allegations against Boutte also involve the creation of a fictitious persona and the use of his mother’s credit card to fund the online gaming account. Financial records show significant activity in Boutte’s account, with deposits totaling over $132,000 and winnings exceeding $556,000.

The NFL is investigating this case. And organizations involved with Boutte have expressed their opinion on the matter as well.

NFL, LSU and Patriots respond

During a conference call about sports betting, NFL executive Jeff Miller acknowledged awareness of Kayshon Boutte’s case, stating, “It is under an ongoing investigation… so not a lot more to be said about it than that. When there is news to report, we will certainly share it with you.” Miller emphasized that the league is looking into the matter but did not confirm about the consequences under NFL policies.

LSU has responded to the situation as well, stating they were made aware of the allegations last July and have cooperated fully with the investigation. They said, “Since then, we have fully cooperated with all relevant authorities involved in the investigation and will continue to do so. We have no evidence that any other student-athletes participated in these prohibited activities”.

As per WCVB, the Patriots are cooperating with the investigation but declined to comment further on the matter. “The New England Patriots are aware that Kayshon Boutte is cooperating with Louisiana police regarding their investigation,” said Patriots spokesman Stacey James.

As the legal proceedings unfold, Boutte’s future with the team and the outcome of his case remain uncertain.

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