The NFL released a statement Monday announcing his suspension, saying he gambled on games over a five-day stretch in November 2021 when he was on the non-football injury list to address his mental health.
The Suspension:
NFL suspended Falcons WR Calvin Ridley for the 2022 season for betting on games.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2022
The details of his specific bet was a 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; per Adam Schefter. The NFL learned of Ridley’s betting activity through its relationships within the legal sports betting industry, a source told ESPN’s David Purdum.This incident marks the 6th player in NFL history to be banned for betting on games:
NFL Players Suspended for Gambling:
⁰🏈1963 Alex Karras ⁰🏈1963 Paul Hornung ⁰🏈1983 Art Schlichter ⁰🏈2019 Josh Shaw ⁰🏈2022 Calvin Ridley— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2022
Calvin Ridley’s Response:
Calvin Ridley immediately took to Twitter after the news was released. He never denied the allegations, in-fact he attempted to justify them and look at the bright side of things. Calvin Ridley has tweeted out five things since the news broke:
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
Just gone be more healthy when I come back
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
I know I was wrong But I’m getting 1 year lol
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
If you know me you know my character
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
We will wait to see if he appeals this or just serves out the suspension. While this is not Wisconsin Sports related, news like this does not happen very often and is shocking when it does. This is just the second time since 1984 that an NFL player was found guilty of betting on games.
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