Gambling
Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte insists he won’t bet after dropped gambling, fraud charges
FOXBORO — Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is looking forward to a clean slate.
Making his first comments since facing a felony charge of computer fraud and one misdemeanor count of Gaming Prohibited for Persons under 21 back in January, Boutte owned up to making a “dumb decision.” Louisiana officials dropped the charges earlier this month.
“I’ll just say it was a dumb decision on me when I was young,” Boutte said after Sunday’s training camp practice. “It’s a process I had to go through. Unfortunately, it happened. But it’s life. Now it’s behind us. And we’re focused on football.”
According to officials, Boutte used an alias account to circumvent the age requirement for placing sports wagers in Louisiana from April, 6, 2022, through May 7, 2023, the date of his 21st birthday. Boutte is accused of placing more than 8,900 wagers, including at least six on LSU while he played for the school’s football team. He allegedly created the alias account, username “kayshonboutte01,” under the fictitious identity “Kayla Fortenberry.”
Boutte vowed Sunday he wouldn’t gamble again.
“I just feel like I need to stay away from it,” Boutte said. “It’s not like I’m really addicted or nothing, but it’s just something I need to let go.
The 22-year-old receiver made the Patriots’ roster outright last season as a sixth-round rookie. This summer, he finds himself in the middle of a heated position battle with two drafted rookies added to the mix in Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. Boutte credited coach Jerod Mayo for his support throughout the ordeal.
“I wouldn’t try it again knowing that something worse could come of it. Like, you live and you learn,” Boutte said. “Like Coach (Mayo) say, you don’t want to make the same mistake twice.”
Boutte said he has not heard from the NFL about a possible suspension. A league spokesperson told ESPN after the charges were dropped that the matter remains under review.
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