In an open letter published ahead of his new start with Jacksonville, Ridley opened up about the “dark moment” that led him to gambling during a struggle with depression and anxiety.
The NFL announced Monday that Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been fully reinstated one year after he was indefinitely suspended for violating the league’s gambling policy. Immediately eligible to participate in all team activities, the wideout took some time to address the past before beginning his new chapter.
“I f***ed up. I’m not here to sugarcoat anything. In 2021, I made the worst mistake of my life by gambling on football,” Ridley wrote in an open letter via The Players’ Tribune.
With Ridley’s suspension came plenty of scrutiny, jokes from fans and even a condemning statement from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. The 28-year-old is aware of it all and takes accountability, but wants people to know there’s more to the story.