Calvin Ridley, wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, has been suspended for the 2022 NFL season due to violating the league’s gambling policy. Ridley was gambling from November 23-November 28 from his phone in Florida. The dates coincide with the Atlanta Falcons game where they faced the Jacksonville Jaguars. As of now, there has been no sign of insider trading.
Gambling Violation Leads to Calvin Ridley Being Suspended
Calvin Ridley was to be one of Atlanta’s premier pieces of trade bait this off-season. The Falcons, before this story, were $7 million over the cap. Parting with Ridley’s $11 million contract was a perfect way to gain draft capital while giving Ridley and the Falcons “a fresh start” as told by owner Arthur Blank. Ridley has not been with the team since he departed on Halloween of 2021 before a game against the Carolina Panthers.
The Falcons have been aware of this incident since February 9, according to their statement.
Atlanta Falcons’ statement on the NFL investigation of Calvin Ridley: pic.twitter.com/gr3Qc7iqjJ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2022
There have been interests from various teams, such as the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns for the former Alabama receiver before this story broke. However, the Falcons brass quieted those talks until this news broke.
Multiple NFL teams reached out to the Falcons in recent weeks to inquire about trading for Calvin Ridley, and each time, Atlanta declined to enter into any talks out of good faith, knowing the issues in store for their standout wide receiver, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2022
For Ridley, this may mark the beginning of the end to a career that had a lot of promise. While Julio Jones was struggling with injury in 2020, Ridley showed that he could be a viable weapon for the Atlanta offense. He gained 1374 yards and hauled in nine touchdowns that season. Thus giving Atlanta fans hope that, when Julio eventually departed, Ridley would step in as the heir apparent.
Ridley has since shared his thoughts about the NFL’s decision through various tweets.
Calvin Ridley reaction: pic.twitter.com/WhLieUcqC4
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2022
The Falcons will now quickly turn their attention to wide receiver in the NFL draft or free agency. Most importantly, though, they should help Ridley get the much-needed help he seems to desperately require.
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