NFL: Las Vegas charity arm wrestling participants will be fined

A group of NFL players who participated in an arm wrestling event at a casino in Las Vegas will be disciplined by the league.

NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported Monday that the current players will be fined for violating the league's policy barring players from appearing at casinos as part of promotional events. The players did not get pre-approval from the NFL.

It was reported over the weekend the NFL began its investigation after learning of the inaugural Pro Football Arm Wrestling Championship at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino that featured more than 30 current and former players.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told ESPN on Sunday that the league just became aware of the event and would be looking into it further.

Marshawn Lynch. File photo by Nell Redmond/UPI

Lynch visited with the Oakland Raiders last and reportedly told the team he intends to come out retirement and wants to play for his hometown team for the 2017 season. He is still officially retired and will not be fined by the NFL, Rapoport reported.

The contest, with heavyweight and light heavyweight titles in play, took place April 5-9 and is scheduled to be broadcast on CBS on May 27-28, with the championship round shown June 3.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has said the Raiders' relocation to Las Vegas would not affect the league's gambling policies. On March 27, NFL team owners voted 31-1 to approve the Raiders' application to relocate to Las Vegas during the annual league meetings in Phoenix.

"Had we been asked in advance if this was acceptable, we would have indicated that it was in direct violation of the gambling policy," Joe Lockhart, NFL vice president of communications, told USA Today Sports, which first reported the league's concern over the event. "No one sought pre-approval."

According to USA Today, other notable participants included Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills, San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, Raiders punter Marquette King and defensive end Mario Edwards, and New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung.