ATLANTA— For putting the integrity of professional football at risk by betting on league games, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver, Calvin Ridley, he was suspended by the NFL for at least the entire 2022 season.
Ridley won’t play in 2022 and there’s no guarantee on his NFL future even though he was considered to be Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan’s top target.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Ridley on Monday after a league investigation determined the player gambled on league games in 2021 while absent from the team to attend to mental health issues. The league indicated that the suspension will be “at least until the conclusion of the 2022 campaign.”
The NFL noted that the bets were placed over a five-day period, in late November 2021.
The Falcons placed Ridley on the non-football-related illness list after Week 8 of last season, which ended Nov. 1.
Ridley wrote on his Twitter account on Monday: “I bet in total 1,500 I don’t have a gambling problem”.
I bet 1500 total I don’t have a gambling problem
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
He seemed to make light of his suspension by later posting another message. “I know I did wrong but I’m getting a year lol”. “I’ll be healthier when I come back”he added.
Just gone be more healthy when I come back
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
Ridley defended himself in another message on his account: “If you know me, you know my character”.
If you know me you know my character
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
During the investigation, the league found no evidence that insider trading was used or that any game was compromised by Ridley’s gambling, Goodell said. There is also no evidence to suggest that any coaches, players or staff members were aware of Ridley’s gambling activities.
Ridley will be able to apply to re-enter the league after February 23, 2023.
During the winter break, the Falcons have not updated Ridley’s condition. The team released a statement Monday saying it cooperated with the league’s investigation last month.
“We first learned of the league’s investigation on February 9,” they said in the statement. “We have fully cooperated with the investigation since receiving notice and support the league’s findings and actions. We will proceed into the 2022 season with the decision that was made. Following the NFL’s decision, any further questions about the investigation should be directed to the league office.
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NFL suspends Calvin Ridley for 2022 season for gambling