Green Bay, Wisconsin — December 23, 2025 — In a development that has sent shockwaves through the NFL, Green Bay Packers legend Jordy Nelson has publicly accused Chicago Bears young star
Austin Booker of being involved in an illegal $5 million betting scheme.
According to Nelson, the scheme was directly linked to the serious injury suffered by quarterback Jordan Love
during last Saturday’s Packers vs. Bears matchup, prompting the NFL to launch an emergency investigation overnight.
Nelson, a former Packers wide receiver who played a key role in the team’s
Super Bowl XLV championship in 2011 and who now serves as an NFL appeals officer, revealed the allegations during an exclusive interview with ESPN. He stated that he possesses “clear and irrefutable evidence,” including encrypted messages, bank transfer records, and testimony from anonymous witnesses.
Austin Booker goes in with his right shoulder toward Jordan Love’s chest. Love lowers his helmet reflexively and it turns into helmet to helmet. No intent on either side. At that speed though, that’s tough.
According to the accusation, Booker — a rookie defensive end for the Bears — was allegedly drawn into an underground betting network operated by criminal organizations, with the primary objective of injuring Love to influence the game’s outcome and related betting lines.
“This was not a routine football hit. This was part of a larger scheme where player safety was sacrificed for profit,” Nelson said. “I’ve reviewed hundreds of disciplinary cases in my role, but this one required me to speak out immediately. Jordan Love is the future of the Packers, and we cannot allow gamblers to corrupt this sport.”
The incident stems from the Week 16 game at Soldier Field, where Love was struck by Booker in a helmet-to-helmet tackle during the second quarter, resulting in a concussion that forced him to exit the game. The Packers ultimately lost
22–16 in overtime, a result that caused sudden and dramatic shifts in betting markets on platforms such as DraftKings and FanDuel.
According to sources cited by Nelson, the $5 million wager focused on prop bets tied to Love’s performance, including passing-yard totals and whether he would finish the game without injury.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell responded swiftly, announcing that the league had opened an internal investigation late Sunday night.
“We take the integrity of the league seriously. Any allegation involving illegal gambling will be investigated thoroughly,” Goodell said in an official statement.
The investigation will reportedly involve cooperation with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, focusing on Booker’s betting records and potential connections to outside parties. If the allegations are substantiated, Booker could face a
lifetime suspension, substantial fines, and possible criminal prosecution.
The Chicago Bears organization has denied all allegations, calling them “baseless rumors intended to distract the team.” Head coach Matt Eberflus
defended Booker, stating, “Austin is a talented young player, and that hit was simply part of a physical football game. We will fully cooperate with the NFL.” Booker, 22, a high draft pick in the Bears’ 2025 class, has not issued a personal statement.
The Packers fan base has erupted across social media. Hashtags #JusticeForLove and #BanBooker began trending on X (formerly Twitter), with several former players, including Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre, voicing support for Nelson.
“Jordy is a man of integrity. If he’s saying this, there’s something serious going on,” Rodgers posted from his personal account.
The situation has reignited broader concerns about the growing influence of sports betting within the NFL, especially following the widespread legalization of gambling across the United States.
Analysts believe the investigation could last several weeks, but its impact on the 2025–26 season may be unavoidable. The Packers are currently preparing for the playoffs without Love, who remains in concussion protocol.
Updates are expected to follow closely. This is shaping up to be one of the most significant NFL scandals since Deflategate.
