Brendan Sorsby, the 22-year-old quarterback of Texas Tech football, is set to leave the program over his gambling addiction. The program announced on Monday that Sorsby will be admitted to a facility to undergo gambling addiction treatment.
This announcement has sparked interest in what the allegations of gambling against Sorsby are. “We love Brendan and support his decision to seek professional help,” a statement from Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said in a statement to ESPN.
“Taking this step requires courage, and our primary focus is on him as a person. Our program is behind Brendan as he prioritizes his health. Texas Tech is committed to supporting Brendan through his recovery process and to ensure his long-term health and well-being.”
What Are The Gambling Allegations Against Brendan Sorsby?
ESPN reports that Sorsby is being investigated by the NCAA over thousands of bets he placed on multiple sporting events over the last three years. Most of these bets were placed on an online gambling app.
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Some of the bets were also on sporting events involving teams he was a part of. For instance, the USA Today reports that one such game was his first season in college football in 2022, when he was a true freshman QB for the Indiana Hoosiers.
The NCAA, in its statement, did not clarify the exact nature of the charges against Brendan Sorsby, citing confidentiality over the ongoing investigation into the allegations.
“Due to confidentiality rules put in place by NCAA member schools, the NCAA will not comment on current, pending or potential investigations,” the NCAA said in a statement. “However, the NCAA takes sports betting very seriously and is committed to the protection of student-athletes’ well-being and the integrity of competition.
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“The Association works with integrity monitoring services, state regulators and other stakeholders to conduct appropriate due diligence whenever reports are received.”
As of now, Brendan Sorsby’s representatives have not commented on the issue.
Can Brendan Sorsby Regain NCAA Eligibility?
ESPN’s Peter Thamel, who first reported the story of Brendan Sorsby’s departure, later reported in a follow-up that there is no timeline in mind for the 22-year-old’s return. However, as the NCAA enforces strict gambling rules, this might make Brendan Sorsby ineligible. Thamel said that Sorsby will have to face “great odds” to regain eligibility.
