Former Alabama WR Calvin Ridley suspended for entire 2022 NFL season
Update (3:04 p.m. CT): Ridley tweeted out soon after the news broke, saying “I bet 1500 total I don’t have a gambling problem.” He then followed that tweet up with a second saying “I couldn’t even watch football at that point.”
Former Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended by the NFL for the entire 2022 season, according to a tweet from ESPN insider Adam Schefter. Ridley’s season-long suspension stems from the 2018 first-round pick gambling on football games in the days following his decision to leave the Atlanta Falcons, citing issues with mental health.
Ridley officially stepped away from the team back in early November of 2021, but the expectation was that he’d return for 2022 and could find himself on the trading block. Now, any plan to ship him out of Atlanta will have to be put on hold for the foreseeable future after the shocking news on Monday afternoon.
In a letter sent to Ridley notifying him of his lengthy suspension, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote:
“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.
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“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.”
Ridley will be able to apply for reinstatement on or after Feb. 15, 2023.
During his first three seasons with the Falcons, Ridley produced 3,061 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns on 217 receptions. His most successful year came back in 2020 when in 15 games, the Florida native hauled in 90 catches for 1,374 and 9 scores. Atlanta took him No. 26 overall back in the 2018 NFL Draft.
This story will be updated.
