The NFL says it is suspending Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley for an entire season because the integrity of the game is sacrosanct. If that’s the case, the league better ratchet up its investigation into Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, who allegedly bribed Brian Flores $100,000 per loss in 2019.
An owner offering to pay his coach for intentionally losing is far more harmful to the league’s integrity than a player betting $1,500 on his team to win while he was away from the club.
The NFL says Ridley acted alone and didn’t use any inside information that compromised games in “any way.” He was caught placing three bets between Nov. 23 and Nov. 28 in Florida via the Hard Rock Sportsbook app. The league found out about Ridley’s activity through its relationships in the sports betting industry.
On Monday, Ridley pushed back against the NFL in a series of tweets, saying he doesn’t have a gambling problem. While active players wagering money on any games is a cardinal sin, Ridley is correct to complain about the NFL’s uneven distribution of justice.
It’s been roughly one month since Flores filed his lawsuit against the league for its alleged racially discriminatory hiring practices. One of Flores’ allegations involves Ross offering him $100,000 per loss in his first season as head coach in order to improve the Dolphins’ draft position.
Flores claims his refusal to tank was one of the factors that resulted in his surprise dismissal.
Those are serious accusations, yet the NFL doesn’t appear to be making much progress in its investigation of Ross. There’s been no leaked reports or any updates on the status of its inquiry.
That’s not surprising, of course. Roger Goodell answers to the 32 owners, who may not have much of an appetite to see one of their own vigorously investigated. But that frustrating reality doesn’t cloud the league’s hypocrisy.
An NFL owner who allegedly wanted to pay his coach to lose may not face any punishment. But a player who made three parlay bets while he wasn’t playing, and by the league’s own admission didn’t use any inside information that compromised games, gets suspended indefinitely.
In the NFL, the wheels of justice apparently only turn one way.