Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended by the NFL after being caught betting on NFL Games throughout the 2021 season while away from the field.
The NFL claimed that the suspension will certainly last at a minimum until the end of the 2022 season. Nonetheless, 27-year-old might petition for reinstatement on or after February 15, 2023.
No other members of the Atlanta Falcons organization were involved in Ridley’s gambling scheme, the NFL added.
Suspended For Doing The One Thing Players DEFINITELY Can’t Do
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell composed in a letter to Ridley:
“There is nothing more fundamental to the NFL’s success — and to the reputation of everyone associated with our league — than upholding the integrity of the game. This is the responsibility of every player, coach, owner, game official, and anyone else employed in the league. Your actions put the integrity of the game at risk, threatened to damage public confidence in professional football, and potentially undermined the reputations of your fellow players throughout the NFL.”
“For decades, gambling on NFL games has been considered among the most significant violations of league policy warranting the most substantial sanction. In your case, I acknowledge and commend you for your promptly reporting for an interview, and for admitting your actions.”
NFL statement on the year-long suspension of Falcons’ WR Calvin Ridley: pic.twitter.com/mQZm5dGgPO
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2022
In his four NFL seasons, Ridley has 248 catches for 3,342 yards as well as 28 goals. His contract will come off the books for the 2022 period, releasing $11.1 million in cap room for Atlanta.
Ridley played in just 5 games throughout the 2021 season, leaving the team in October in order to focus on his “mental health.”
The Falcons said in a declaration:
“We were first made aware of the league’s investigation on Feb. 9,. We have cooperated fully with the investigation since receiving notice and support the league’s findings and actions. We are moving forward in the 2022 season with the decision that was made. With the decision that was made by the NFL, any further questions on the investigation should be directed to the league office.”
Atlanta Falcons’ statement on the NFL investigation of Calvin Ridley: pic.twitter.com/gr3Qc7iqjJ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2022
Adam Schefter, ESPN NFL expert said on Twitter that Ridley positioned parlay bank on the Falcons to win.
“NFL determined that Calvin Ridley placed multi-legged parlay bets involving 3, 5, and 8 games that included the Falcons to win, per source. Investigation determined there was no involvement from any team players, coach, etc. placed via his mobile device out of state.”
Falcons proprietor Arthur Space claimed in February that while the team would enjoy to have Ridley go back to the team, he was “mostly concerned about him as a human being.”
“We love the young man, He has had a great history in Atlanta. We’d love him to stay in Atlanta. Whether or not he wants to do that — he may decide that he wants a fresh start someplace else. We don’t know that. I don’t know that. I don’t have information to indicate that, but we’ll see how that plays out.
“We’ve been totally supportive in every way that we can be, both emotionally and financially in working with him as well as his agent,” he continued. “We’ll see, but I’m mostly concerned about him as a human being.”
Sources: DailyWire, AtlantaFalcons
