NEW YORK (WBTV) - A former Carolina Panthers player said he has dealt with serious comments from sports bettors since betting became legal in recent years.
Graham Gano -- who was Carolina’s kicker from 2012-2018 and made the second-most field goals in franchise history -- talked about the hate on Nov. 6 when he discussed frustrations he has faced while battling recent injuries with the New York Giants.
“I hear everyone else’s frustration ... media, fans,” Gano said in the Giants’ locker room. “Shoot, ever since sports betting started happening, I get people telling me to kill myself every week. I’ll hit a kick that loses them money, I’ll miss a kick and lose them money. The other day someone told me to get cancer and die ... Playing this long, that stuff -- you’re used to it by now.”
The veteran kicker -- who is now 38 years old and in his 16th NFL season -- said he understands fans are passionate but called such comments “tough.”
“It’s tough, but I’ve gotten thick-skinned over the years,” Gano told reporters. “I think early on it really bothered [me] a lot, but I mean, nobody wants to hear that stuff.”
He suggested that social media has made it worse. Studies agree with him. ESPN reported in 2024 that a study done by the NCAA found that abuse from angry bettors was one of the top forms of harassment that college athletes face.
The longtime Panther said he thinks the growing prevalence of mental health issues has also contributed to the hate.
“I try not to see as much as I can, and then if I start seeing that stuff, I shut it off,” Gano said. “Unfortunately that’s part of the game. A lot of people just send you stuff like that. I’ll get letters, fans will tell me it to my face, you know, on gamedays, in DMs.”
Gano said he believes threats and comments are especially impactful on young players.
“I’ve been playing ball since before social media, so I’ve gotten to see the whole gambit of it,” he said. “I think it’s tough for a lot of the younger guys if you really look at that stuff ... During the season I normally shut those things off anyway, but it doesn’t stop people from seeing you in public and saying things to your face.”
Sports betting first became legal in North Carolina in March 2024, and during the fiscal year 2025 -- which ran from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 -- more than $6.6 billion was wagered across the state. Sports betting is not currently legal in South Carolina.
Former Panthers and current Giants kicker Graham Gano said sports bettors routinely tell him...
Former Panthers and current Giants kicker Graham Gano said sports bettors routinely tell him to kill himself.(Paul Sancya | AP)
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