Calvin Ridley of the Atlanta Falcons has been suspended by the NFL for the 2022 season for betting on games while on the non-football illness list.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goddell sent Ridley a letter notifying him of the ban.
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.
This is the responsibility of every player, coach, owner, game official, and anyone else employed in the league. Your actions put the integrity of the game at risk, threatened to damage public confidence in professional football, and potentially undermined the reputations of your fellow players throughout 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.”
Ridley responded to the news publicly in a series of tweets on Twitter:
He is considered one of the NFL’s top wide receivers, but he spent the majority of the 2021 NFL season away from his team due to mental health issues.
Calvin Ridley is eligible for reinstatement in February 2023.
