Marshawn Lynch Among Players Facing League Action

A number of NFL players could be facing fines after competing in an arm wrestling tournament over the weekend. The event, which was held in Las Vegas, was called The Pro Football Arm Wrestling Championship. There were 30 current or former players involved.

Marshawn Lynch falls into the category of former players at the moment, but is thinking of a comeback. He has visited several teams lately.

The league prohibits players from appearing at gambling establishments and casinos.

“Had we been asked in advance if this was acceptable, we would have indicated that it was in direct violation of the gambling policy,” said Joe Lockhart, the NFL’s executive vice president for communications and public affairs to USA Today. “No one sought pre-approval.”

CBS is scheduled to show the event in two parts, the first at the end of May. The championship will be shown in early June.

Part of the prize fund will be donated to the charity of the winner’s choice. It will be through the NFL’s Giving Back Fund.

Among the current players who participated are Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison, Miami Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills, San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman, New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung  and Oakland Raiders punter Marquette King.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told ESPN on Sunday that the league just became aware of the event. He said they would be looking into the matter more closely. The MGM Grand Casino hosted the event.

The league hasn’t strayed from its stance on gambling locations. In 2015, they shut down the National Fantasy Football Convention in Las Vegas where Tony Romo was going to appear. The organizers said the cancellation was “a direct result of sudden and unexpected opposition taken by the NFL concerning player participation and their perceived association with gambling for an event in Las Vegas.”