When the Atlanta Falcons suit up for the 2022 season later this year, they will not be joined by star receiver Calvin Ridley.
Yesterday, Ridley was suspended by the NFL for the duration of the 2022 season after it was revealed he gambled on games.
The bets were placed over five days last November, when Ridley was out with a "non-football illness," and though he did bet in a game involving the Falcons, he bet on them to win.
The NFL also says there are no signs that any game was compromised in any way.
Ridley did admit to placing bets worth $1,500 in total over that stretch of days, and also stated that he did not have a gambling problem.
The NFL found that Ridley placed multilegged parlay bets via his mobile device out of state, and learned of his gambling activity through its relationships within the legal sports betting industry, according to ESPN.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote in a letter to Ridley notifying him of his suspension:
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.
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