Calvin Ridley, who left the Falcons final season to give attention to his psychological well being, was been suspended indefinitely — a minimum of by means of the 2022 season — for betting on NFL video games whereas away from the Falcons.
According to the NFL, the star vast receiver positioned bets throughout a five-day interval in November, throughout which he was not at crew services.
“I bet 1500 total I don’t have a gambling problem,” Ridley wrote on Twitter quickly after the information broke. “I couldn’t even watch soccer at that time.
“I know I was wrong But I’m getting 1 year lol.”
Ridley, who hasn’t suited up for a recreation since Oct. 24 in Miami, vowed to return in prime form.
“Just gone be more healthy when I come back,” he tweeted.
NFL Network reported that Ridley bet on Falcons games, in addition to different sports activities. According to a number of shops, he positioned a number of parlay bets that included selecting the Falcons to win, utilizing his cellphone whereas in Florida. The service Ridley used was monitored by Genius Sports Group, which handles the NFL’s information and monitoring and reported the bets to the league.
The NFL mentioned no inside info was used to make the wagers.
“There is nothing more fundamental to the NFL’s success — and to the reputation of everyone associated with our league — than upholding the integrity of the game,” commissioner Roger Goodell wrote in a letter to Ridley notifying him of the suspension. “This is the duty of each participant, coach, proprietor, recreation official, and anybody else employed within the league. Your actions put the integrity of the sport in danger, threatened to break public confidence in skilled soccer, and doubtlessly undermined the reputations of your fellow gamers all through the NFL.
“For decades, gambling on NFL games has been considered among the most significant violations of league policy warranting the most substantial sanction. In your case, I acknowledge and commend you for your promptly reporting for an interview, and for admitting your actions.”
While NFL locker rooms would not have the identical can’t-miss signage banning playing included in MLB clubhouses, all gamers are made conscious of the playing coverage a minimum of as soon as per 12 months — in the course of the league-mandated safety presentation within the 32 coaching camps. In addition to the presentation in coaching camp, the NFL supplies standalone classes for all rookies. The Players Association additionally supplies playing info and the coverage is prominently featured within the distributed gamers handbook.
All NFL crew staff are required to take part in annual on-line coaching that features the playing coverage.
That seems to be the minimal threshold, however one crew expressed that it points two further reminders to gamers all year long by way of its personal safety workers. Another crew mentioned that it additionally makes sure gamers obtain a number of exposures per 12 months.
The NFL’s ban on playing covers video games, practices and different occasions and bars wagers on outcomes, statistics, rating, particular person efficiency and prop bets, in line with the league participant’s handbook shared with Pro Football Talk. It additionally specifies that every one crew personnel besides gamers are prohibited from betting on all skilled and faculty sports activities (not simply the NFL) as effectively worldwide competitions such because the Olympics.
It doesn’t matter whether or not sports activities playing is authorized or unlawful within the given state, a league spokesperson instructed PFT.
Ridley can enchantment the ban inside three days, in any other case he shall be eligible for reinstatement in February 2023.
“We were first made aware of the league’s investigation on Feb. 9,” the Falcons mentioned in assertion. “We have cooperated fully with the investigation since receiving notice and support the league’s findings and actions. We are moving forward in the 2022 season with the decision that was made. With the decision that was made by the NFL, any further questions on the investigation should be directed to the league office.”
The 27-year-old had 31 receptions and two touchdowns in 5 video games earlier than stepping away from the crew final season.
“I need to step away from football at this time and focus on my mental well-being,” Ridley mentioned in an announcement saying what he believed could be a short-term challenge. “This will help me be the best version of myself now and in the future.”
A former first-round pick of Alabama, Ridley had his fifth-year possibility value $11.1 million picked up by the crew final spring. He turned a scorching title on the trade-market rumor mill, with the Jets and Patriots amongst groups linked to him.
According to ESPN, the Falcons knew punitive motion was coming and declined to enter in critical commerce talks.
— with Ryan Dunleavy
