The Atlanta Falcons weren’t sure if they were going to have star wide receiver Calvin Ridley or not this coming season after he bowed out of the 2021 season citing mental health reasons but now no team will have his services this coming season as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended the wide-out for the entirety of the 2022 season for betting on NFL games last year.
Ridley was said to have bet on games over a five-game stretch in November after he was placed on the non-injury list on Halloween.
The talented wide receiver fired off a series of tweets addressing the situation…
I bet 1500 total I don’t have a gambling problem
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
I couldn’t even watch football at that point
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
It’s a little confusing that Ridley states that he only bet a total of $1,500 and then says he couldn’t even watch football at that point… If he couldn’t watch football at that point, how/why was he betting on football games?
I know I was wrong But I’m getting 1 year lol
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
He does admit to gambling here and then goes on to comment on his character.
If you know me you know my character
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
NFL Insider Adam Schefter had some additional info to add to the situation about exactly what Calvin Ridley gambled on.
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.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2022
Here’s what Roger Goodell had to say regarding the situation…
“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.”
Now, did he utilize any insider information when gambling on games?
The league’s investigation did not find any evidence to suggest that any insider information was used, said the NFL.
Ridley can apply for reinstatement but not until after the season next year on February, 15th 2023. There is also the opportunity to appeal the ruling by the commissioner, he’s got three days to do that. However, with Ridley openly admitting that he did it I don’t see why he would appeal, even if he did it seems like the NFL takes gambling on the game very seriously and wouldn’t think that they’d overturn the initial ruling.
Here’s what the Atlanta Falcons had to say regarding the situation involving their wide-out:
“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.”
With this ruling, the contract for Ridley will be void for 2022 which means the Falcons will have $11.1 M more in cap space and they’ve also got just one receiver left on the 53 man roster in first-year player Frank Darby.
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