- Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley is under indefinite suspension by the NFL for betting on games
- According to the league, Ridley placed bets over a five-day period last November while on the non-football injury list
- Ridley is eligible to petition for reinstatement on or after February 15, 2023
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley will be suspended for at least the next year after he admitted to betting on NFL games during the 2021 season.
According to a league investigation, Ridley placed wagers over a five-day period in November of 2021 while on the non-football injury list.
Under the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, he has three days in which to appeal his suspension. Otherwise, Ridley is not eligible to apply for reinstatement until February 13, 2023.
What Did Ridley Bet On?
According to the NFL investigation, Ridley made three bets at Florida’s Hard Rock Sportsbook app between November 23-28. He placed multiple parlay bets involving three, five and eight games. In each case, one of the legs involved a Falcons win.
The investigation also determined that there was no involvement from any of his Falcons teammates or the Atlanta coaching staff providing Ridley with any insider information.
There are signs explicitly prohibiting NFL personnel from betting on any NFL game posted in every locker room in the league.
I bet 1500 total I don’t have a gambling problem
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
“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,” commissioner of the NFL Roger Goodell wrote in the letter notifying Ridley of his suspension.
Ridley didn’t appear to be taking news of his punishment very seriously. “I know I was wrong but I’m getting one year lol,” he tweeted.
Falcons a Longshot to Win NFC South
Atlanta was 7-10 last season, finishing third in the NFC South. Ridley played just five games during the 2021 campaign.
NFL determined that Calvin Ridley placed multi-legged parlay bets involving 3, 5 and 8 games that included the Falcons to win, per source. Investigation determined there was no involvement from any team players, coach etc. placed via his mobile device out of state.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2022
It wasn’t entirely clear that he would be back with the Falcons for the 2022 season even prior to his suspension. When Ridley left the team last season, he then spent the remainder of the year on the non-football injury list, dealing with his mental well-being.
Atlanta’s first-round draft pick in 2018, Ridley caught 26 touchdown passes over his first three NFL seasons. He enjoyed a career year in 2020, catching 90 passes for 1,374 yards, an average of 15.3 yards per catch.
2022 NFC South Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +120 |
| New Orleans Saints | +260 |
| Carolina Panthers | +425 |
| Atlanta Falcons | +650 |
Odds as of March 8th at Barstool Sportsbook
Clearly, no division has undergone as much upheaval or is facing more uncertainty entering the 2021 season than the NFC South. The defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers are moving forward minus starting quarterback Tom Brady, who announced his retirement. New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton stepped down after 16 years with the team. In Carolina, the Panthers are getting calls to see if they’d be willing to trade All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey.
The latest betting lines are showing the Falcons to be the longest shot in the NFC South odds at +650.
Ridley Joining Exclusive Club
Ridley will be forfeiting a minimum of $11 million in salary if he’s suspended for one season. He is joining the short list of NFL players who’ve been suspended for gambling on games. It’s a group that includes a pair of Pro Football Hall of Famers.
In 1963, Green Bay Packers running back Paul Hornung, the 1961 NFL MVP, and All-Pro Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alex Karras were both suspended for a year after being caught betting on games. Both returned in 1964 and went on to have hall of fame careers.
Calvin Ridley bet $1500 and lost $10 million, those are the worst odds in gambling history
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) March 7, 2022
In 1983, Baltimore Colts quarterback Art Schlichter was suspended for 13 months after it was proven he’d bet $500,000 on basketball games.
More recently, Arizona Cardinals defensive back Josh Shaw was suspended for the 2020 season after it was proven he’d bet on games while on IR during the 2019 campaign. Although reinstated in 2021, Shaw never played in the NFL again.
The post Calvin Ridley Suspended After Found Betting on NFL Games – See What Ridley Was Betting appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.
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