Calvin Ridley Bet on NFL Games and His Career May Be Over
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for at least the 2022 season and possibly longer after admitting to betting on NFL games. Ridley may never play in the NFL again after this revelation.
Full release on Calvin Ridley’s suspension pic.twitter.com/MXgyZqaJfE
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 7, 2022
Ridley placed parlay bets on NFL games using his cell phone, per @MikeGarafolo.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) March 7, 2022
The NFL discovered that while Riley was away from the Falcons on the non-football injury list during the 2021 season he bet on NFL games. The activity took place over a five-day period. According to commissioner Roger Goodell's statement, Ridley admitted his actions when confronted.
On Oct. 31, 2021 Ridley took to Twitter and announced he was stepping away from football due to mental health reasons. He missed the rest of the season and this betting incident apparently took place during that time.
Ridley responded to the news of the suspension on Twitter shortly after it was announced, saying he bet $1,500.
I bet 1500 total I don’t have a gambling problem
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
Ridley will be eligible to apply for reinstatement after February 15, 2023 but, quite frankly, he should never play in the NFL again. Betting on games is line no player should cross, even if -- as the NFL claims -- there is no evidence he pursued inside information.