The suspension, announced by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday, stems from actions that took place while Ridley was out of the team to deal with mental health issues; The league says the suspension will remain in effect “at least until the end of the 2022 season.”
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games.
The league says the suspension will remain in effect “at least until the end of the 2022 season.”
The NFL reports that bets were placed over five days at the end of November 2021. Ridley, 27, was listed as a non-football illness following week 8 of last season, which ended on November 1st.
During the off-season, the Falcons did not report on Ridley’s status. On Monday, the team released a statement saying it cooperated with the league’s investigation last month.
“We first became aware of the league’s investigation on February 9,” the Falcons said in a statement.
“We have fully cooperated with the investigation since the notification was received and support the conclusions and actions of the league. We are moving forward into the 2022 season with the decision made.”
In the NFL’s announcement of Ridley’s suspension, the league included the contents of a letter sent by Goodell to a general recipient.
Goodell wrote, “There is nothing more important to the success of the NFL—and to the reputation of everyone associated with our league—than maintaining the integrity of the game. It is the responsibility of every player, coach, owner, game official and anyone else.” Your actions compromise the integrity of the game, threaten to undermine public confidence in professional football, and potentially damage the reputation of your peers throughout the NFL.
“For decades, gambling in NFL games has been considered one of the most serious violations of league policy, requiring the most serious sanctions. In your case, I acknowledge and thank you for coming quickly to the interview and acknowledging your actions.”
