Uwazurike bet on Broncos, Iowa State games, complaint alleges

Denver Broncos and former Iowa State defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike allegedly bet on Broncos and Iowa State games, according to a complaint filed Tuesday in the Iowa District Court for Story County.

Uwazurike, 25, faces a charge of tampering with records stemming from the alleged wagers. The complaint alleges he bet on two Iowa State games in which he played. It also alleges he bet on five Broncos games — a total of 32 bets — including one game in which he played, a Week 15 home game against the Cardinals.

Uwazurike, who was suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games during the 2022 season, was charged along with three other Iowa State athletes, including starting quarterback Hunter Dekkers, amid an ongoing sports gambling investigation of athletes at Iowa State and Iowa.

According to the complaint, Uwazurike is accused of “knowingly and intentionally falsify(ing) personal electronic sports wagering records by concealing his personal identity in said records with the intent to deceive or conceal a wrongdoing knowing he had no privilege or right to do so” between Feb. 7, 2021 and July 10, 2022.

Tampering with records is an aggravated misdemeanor in Iowa, punishable by up to two years in prison.

In May, officials at Iowa State and Iowa were notified that multiple athletes were under investigation on allegations of prohibited online sports wagering. Iowa has 26 athletes from five sports under investigation, while Iowa State has 15 athletes from three sports.

The Broncos drafted Uwazurike with the 116th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He recorded 17 tackles during the 2022 NFL season. Regarding his indefinite suspension announced by the NFL in July, Uwazurike will be eligible to petition for reinstatement no earlier than July 24, 2024.

In April, the NFL suspended five players — one from the Commanders and four from the Lions — for violating the league’s gambling policy. The Athletic reported in May that a fifth Lions player is now being investigated.

In June, the NFL suspended two Colts players, cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and defensive end Rashod Berry, free agent Demetrius Taylor and Titans’ lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere for violating the league gambling policy.

(Photo: C. Morgan Engel / Getty Images)