Mar 7, 2022

  • Michael RothsteinESPN Staff Writer

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    • Previously covered University of Michigan for ESPN.com and AnnArbor.com
    • Also covered Notre Dame for Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for at to the lowest degree the 2022 season after gambling on games in 2021.

The NFL released a statement Mon announcing his suspension, maxim Ridley gambled on games over a five-day stretch in November 2021 when he was on the non-football injury listing to accost his mental wellness.

Ridley stepped abroad from football game on Halloween, maxim he needed to get his personal life in order.

In a serial of tweets Monday after the pause was announced, Ridley said he bet $1,500 full and that "I don't have a gambling problem." He also tweeted that he couldn't even sentry football at the time he fabricated the bets. He added that he'due south just going to "be more healthy when I come back" and that "I know I was wrong But I'm getting ane year lol."

The NFL determined that Ridley placed multilegged parlay bets involving three, five and 8 games that included the Falcons to win via his mobile device out of state, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The NFL learned of Ridley'southward betting activity through its relationships within the legal sports betting industry, a source told ESPN's David Purdum. Ridley was also betting on other sports, including the NBA, for larger amounts in the thousands of dollars, during a 5-day stretch before Thanksgiving, sources said. It is not against NFL policy for players to bet on other sports.

"There is zippo more fundamental to the NFL'south success -- and to the reputation of everyone associated with our league -- than upholding the integrity of the game," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote in a letter to Ridley notifying him of his pause. "This is the responsibility of every player, passenger vehicle, possessor, game official, and anyone else employed in the league. Your actions put the integrity of the game at gamble, threatened to damage public conviction in professional football game, and potentially undermined the reputations of your fellow players throughout the NFL.

"For decades, gambling on NFL games has been considered amongst the near pregnant violations of league policy warranting the most substantial sanction. In your case, I admit and commend you for your promptly reporting for an interview, and for admitting your deportment."

The NFL said its investigation uncovered no evidence that Ridley used inside information or "that any game was compromised in whatever mode." There besides was no evidence that any of the Falcons' coaches, staff or players were enlightened of his betting activity.

"Your actions put the integrity of the game at risk, threatened to impairment public confidence in professional person football, and potentially undermined the reputations of your beau players throughout the NFL." Roger Goodell, in letter to Calvin Ridley

The earliest Ridley can utilise for reinstatement is Feb. 15, 2023, the NFL said.

He also can appeal the pause past filing observe within three days, per the collective bargaining understanding. It is not known if he has appealed the punishment.

Multiple NFL teams reached out to the Falcons in recent weeks to inquire about trading for Ridley, and each time, Atlanta declined to enter into talks out of good faith, knowing the bug in store for their standout wide receiver, sources told Schefter.

The Falcons said they are preparing for the 2022 flavor every bit if Ridley will non be with them.

"We were first made aware of the league's investigation on Feb. 9. We have cooperated fully with the investigation since receiving detect and support the league's findings and deportment," the team said in a statement. "Nosotros are moving forward in the 2022 season with the determination that was made. With the decision that was fabricated by the NFL, whatever further questions on the investigation should be directed to the league function."

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Purdum: NFL caught Ridley because the arrangement worked

David Purdum says the NFL was able to find out about Calvin Ridley's betting on games due to the league's relationship with regulated sportsbooks.

Ridley is the second player to be suspended for betting on NFL games since 2018, when a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court opened a path for all states to qualify sports betting. Then-Arizona Cardinals defensive back Josh Shaw was suspended in 2019 after the NFL learned he had bet on league games while on injured reserve.

Since the Supreme Courtroom ruling, 30 states and the Commune of Columbia accept launched legal sports betting markets.

With Ridley at present unavailable, Atlanta has one receiver from the 53-homo roster last season under contract -- rookie Frank Darby.

Ridley's contract will cost until 2023 and come off the books for 2022, opening up $eleven.1 1000000 in salary-cap room for the Falcons.