FILE - Washington State quarterback John Mateer runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
FILE - Washington State quarterback John Mateer looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
Oklahoma QB John Mateer denies gambling, says Venmo transaction titles were ‘inside jokes’
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer says he has never gambled, and the school says there is no NCAA investigation after a recent report showed Mateer twice paid someone on Venmo in 2022 for “sports gambling.â€
FILE - Washington State quarterback John Mateer runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Diego State, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer says he has never gambled, and the school says there is no NCAA investigation after a recent report showed Mateer twice paid someone on Venmo in 2022 for “sports gambling.â€
“The allegations that I once participated in sports gambling are false,†Mateer said in a statement Tuesday on social media. “My previous Venmo descriptions did not accurately portray the transactions in question but were instead inside jokes between me and my friends.â€
Mateer, who was at Washington State during the time in question, said he can understand why the Venmo descriptions could lead one to believe otherwise, so he decided to set the record straight.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
“I have never bet on sports,†he said. “I understand the seriousness of the matter, but recognize that, taken out of context, those Venmo descriptions suggest otherwise. I can assure my teammates, coaches, and officials at the NCAA that I have not engaged in any sports gambling.â€
In a statement, Oklahoma said it uses ProhiBet for comprehensive monitoring of sports gambling activities.
“OU takes any allegations of gambling seriously and works closely with the NCAA in any situations of concern,†the statement said. “OU Athletics is unaware of any NCAA investigation and has no reason to believe there is one pending.â€
Mateer former Washington State offensive coordinator this past offseason. Mateer passed for 3,139 yards with 29 touchdowns and just seven interceptions and ran for 826 yards and 15 scores last season.
Mateer was one of three players who accompanied Oklahoma coach Brent Venables at SEC Media Days in July. Venables and Oklahoma’s players have raved consistently about Mateer’s leadership. He’s considered and a key reason the Sooners .
___
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: and
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation