Bryce Harper Declined to Comment After Video of Him to Bettor With Addiction Goes Viral

In a video reported to be from 2024, Bryce Harper can be seen wishing a bettor Happy Thanksgiving.

Bryce Harper Declined to Comment After Video of Him to Bettor With Addiction Goes Viral

Bryce Harper (Image via Yardbarker)

Bryce Harper found a video of himself going viral on social media on Thursday. In the video, the Philadelphia Phillies star could be seen giving a message to a bettor, who was reported to be an addict. Following this development, the 9-time All-Star declined to comment.

As per reports from The Philadelphia Inquirer, the bettor in question is Terry Thompson. He grew addicted to sports gambling in 2020 through FanDuel.

Thompson wagered $18.5 million with FanDuel and lost $1.5 million. He also placed bets through DraftKings, one of FanDuel’s peers.

The bettor was given a VIP manager and received some perks. However, due to the losses and being unable to tell his family about it, Thompson contemplated suicide. Police later reached out and stopped him from taking his own life.

The Public Health Advocacy Institute filed a lawsuit on Thompson’s behalf in March in Common Pleas Court in Philadelphia against FanDuel and DraftKings. Harper is not named in his lawsuit.

In the video, reported to be from 2024, the Phillies star does not appear to wear any FanDuel merch in the video. There are also no records of him having a partnership with FanDuel. The 2-time National League MVP likely had no indication that Thompson was suffering from an addiction.

On Thursday, before the Phillies took on the Cincinnati Reds, The Philadelphia Enquirer reached out to him and his agent Scott Boras. Both of them declined to make a comment regarding this.

While the video does not break any rules, it does raise ethical questions. Leigh Steinberg, agent of NFL star Patrick Mahomes, expressed that the video was not good for the brand of players.

It’s not good for your brand. It’s exploitative and it’s not the sort of activity you want to be associated with.

Leigh Steinberg said about Bryce Harper’s video as per The Philadelphia Inquirer

Harper is one of the biggest names in the MLB. Last week, the first baseman was named as an All-Star for the 9th time in his career. He was selected through the “Legend Pick” by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.

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Bryce Harper to play in 2026 Home Run Derby

After earning a 9th All-Star Selection, Bryce Harper will now play in the 2026 Home Run Derby as well. The 33-year-old announced this decision on Thursday.

Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper (Image via Imago)

Following his selection in the All-Star Game, Harper was thinking about playing in the Home Run Derby. Reports expressed that he would participate in this event if he could find someone who could pitch to him.

In 2018, he had his father, Ron, pitch to him. He ended up winning the event by beating now-teammate Kyle Schwarber.

This year, the league announced some changes to this event. Instead of “outs” and the round timer, the players will have a fixed number of swings. Given the age of this father, he declined to have him throw to him.

On Thursday, Harper revealed on his Instagram account that he will be playing this year. While he did not name who would pitch, he will participate in this event.

He will now look to become a multi-time champion. Since the event debuted in 1985, 35 players have gone on to win the honor of being called the Home Run Derby champion. However, only 4 of them have won the title two or more times.

Harper will thus look to become the 5th player after Ken Griffey Jr. (3 wins), Pete Alonso, Yoenis Cespedes, and Prince Fielder (2 each) to win this event more than once in their career. Schwarber is also expected to join the event.

Apart from him, the other confirmed stars are Jac Caglianone (Kansas City Royals), Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays), Willson Contreras (Boston Red Sox), Ben Rice (New York Yankees), and Jordan Walker (St. Louis Cardinals). With the event taking place at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Phillies, Harper will be more motivated to win the title.

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