Falcons’ Calvin Ridley suspended 1 year for gambling on NFL games

Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons runs with the ball after the catch against Kendall Fuller #29 of the Washington Football Team in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended Monday for at least one year for betting on NFL games during the 2021 season.

Ridley can appeal the suspension. If it stands, he can petition for reinstatement on Feb. 15, 2023, according to an NFL release.

Ridley bet on games between Nov. 23-28 while the 27-year-old was away from the team for personal reasons.

“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 Roger Goodell said in a letter to Ridley.

Said Ridley on Twitter: “I know I was wrong But I’m getting 1 year lol.”

Following the league’s announcement, multiple outlets reported Ridley made three parlay bets while in Florida and only bet the Falcons to win. Genius Sports, which is the NFL’s data and compliance partner, informed the NFL of the player-related gambling activity, reports said.

The parlay bets were three-, five- and eight-team win combinations, per reports.

In its statement, the NFL said there was no evidence that Ridley used inside information to place bets. There’s also no evidence that teammates or coaches were aware of his activity, the league said.

Ridley forfeits his 2022 salary of $11.1 million.

The wide receiver issued a series of tweets on Monday afternoon.

“I bet 1500 total I don’t have a gambling problem,” Ridley wrote. “I couldn’t even watch football at that point.”

“Just gone be more healthy when I come back,” he added.

On Oct. 31, Ridley announced that he was leaving the team to “focus on my mental well-being.” He had missed two games to that point for what the club called personal reasons.

Ridley played in five games (all starts) last season. He finished 2021 with 31 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns.

Since being selected No. 26 overall by the Falcons in the 2018 draft, Ridley has 248 catches for 3,342 yards and 28 TDs in 49 games (35 starts).

The Falcons released a statement saying they were first made aware of the NFL’s investigation on Feb. 9.

“We have cooperated fully with the investigation since receiving notice and support the league’s findings and actions,” the team said. “We are moving forward in the 2022 season with the decision that was made.”

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