The NFL announced on Monday that it has suspended Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley for the entire 2022 season for betting on games in 2021.
“NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell today suspended Calvin Ridley of the Atlanta Falcons indefinitely through at least the conclusion of the 2022 season for betting on NFL games in the 2021 season,” a league statement reads. “The activity took place during a five-day period in late November 2021 while Ridley was not with the team and was away from the club’s facility on the non-football illness list.”
Ridley stepped away from football on Halloween, saying he needed to get his personal life in order.
In a series of tweets Monday after the suspension was announced, Ridley said he bet $1,500 total and that “I don’t have a gambling problem.” He also tweeted that he couldn’t even watch football at the time he made the bets. He added that he’s just going to “be more healthy when I come back” and that “I know I was wrong But I’m getting 1 year lol.”
The NFL determined that Ridley placed multilegged parlay bets involving three, five and eight games that included the Falcons to win via his mobile device out of state.
The NFL learned of Ridley’s betting activity through its relationships within the legal sports betting industry.