Calvin Ridley might've played his last game with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021, and possibly his last NFL game as well. On Monday, the league announced that the star receiver has been suspended indefinitely -- through the 2022 campaign, at least -- for gambling on NFL games while away from the team last season. A statement from the NFL said that Ridley gambled over a five-day stretch in November, and his parlay bets did involve the Falcons.
Ridley admitted to gambling in a series of tweets on Monday, saying, "I don't have a gambling problem," and that he bet $1,500 in total. The NFL also said that its investigation into the situation showed no evidence that Ridley used insider information or "any game was compromised in any way." The Falcons' staff and players also had no knowledge of Ridley's actions, per the NFL.
"We know [Ridley] has the talent to play in the NFL. We know there's going to be a team to give him a chance. But his own stupidity can keep him out of the league," JR said during the JR SportBrief show on Monday. "The NFL was very clear in saying 'at least' -- he's suspended 'at least' through the 2022 season. And so, will another team give him a chance? Yes. Is this a hard line that he'll never play in the NFL again? No.
"But the reality is, if he continues to make jackass decisions like this, Ridley won't be in the NFL... Ridley got caught -- Ridley is an idiot for this decision. He can talk about his character, he can say he has no problem, he can say it was only $1,500. Calvin Ridley isn't hurting the league, the betting partners, or Roger Goodell. The world will go on. Calvin Ridley is hurting himself... He's paying the price. There's going to be another player who pays the price..."
Ridley, who was a first-round selection back in 2018, stepped away from the team in late October, citing mental health reasons. The 27-year-old played in just five games in 2021, and prior to the regular season, Atlanta exercised his fifth-year, $11.1 million option for 2022. The Falcons have now picked up that money in cap space, and the salary will carry over to the 2023 campaign.
Atlanta also released a statement, saying that they were made aware of the NFL's investigation in early February and the team is "moving forward in the 2022 season with the decision that was made." Ridley has become the fifth player punished for gambling in league history, and first since 2019. He can't apply for reinstatement until Feb. 15, 2023.
You can follow the JR SportBrief show on Twitter @JRSportBrief and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.