I have lived a long time without legal sports betting near my home. In fact, I have only bet on sports legally in my life. One of my Vegas trips took place in July when there was nothing interesting to bet on. But the other two trips out there, I had a great time watching football games I had bet money on.

Earlier this year, Delaware put a plan in motion to let people bet on sports there. Awesome news, as I have blogged about before. I could drive two or three hours and bet on football and hopefully more. The state has targeted this NFL season to start this effort, pending possible legal action by the NFL and maybe the NCAA. I figured that would pass, and I could make a road trip or two during NFL season.

But Heath Shuler might screw all this up, just like he did with most things related to football. He had a horrible career as an NFL quarterback so he has now decided to leave the same legacy as a Congressman from North Carolina. It’s bad enough that nimrods like Orrin Hatch and Arizona’s Jon Kyl want Congress to stop Delaware from letting us have fun, now a guy who should understand football gets in on the act.

“As a former college and professional football player, I know the real threat that sports betting brings to sports. Sports betting undermines the integrity and teamwork of athletes, coaches, teams and leagues. It threatens to destroy the necessary sense of competition that makes sports great.”

No, Heath, quarterbacks who throw twice as many interceptions as touchdowns destroy the necessary sense of competition that makes sports great. Guys who lose their job to Gus Frerotte undermine teamwork.Guys who hold out for huge money, then end up as one of the worst players at his position in the league damage the integrity of the game.

Delaware wants people to have the chance to bet on sports at three locations, and these guys act like the mob has moved in and will take over the NFL. The league is so powerful, people can’t even call a Super Bowl party a Super Bowl Party. God forbid people find a way to get interested in the games. Just another mistake by Heath Shuler.