Getty Image / Michael Reaves
- Atlanta Falcons WR Calvin Ridley received a one-year suspension on Monday for betting on NFL games during the season.
- Ridley, who is set to forfeit $11 million in salary due to the suspension, claims he only made $1,5000 worth of bets while he was away from the team taking a mental health break.
- Be sure to check out more sports stories at BroBible here.
Calvin Ridley’s decision to gamble on NFL games is going to cost him a lot of money.
On Monday, it was revealed that the Atlanta Falcons wide receiver had received a season-long suspension from the NFL for betting on Atlanta Falcons games while he took a mental health break from the team.
NFL suspended Falcons WR Calvin Ridley for the 2022 season for betting on games.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2022
NFL statement on the year-long suspension of Falcons’ WR Calvin Ridley: pic.twitter.com/mQZm5dGgPO
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2022
Ridley admitted to betting on games on Twitter but denied having a gambling addiction.
I bet 1500 total I don’t have a gambling problem
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
I couldn’t even watch football at that point
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
I know I was wrong But I’m getting 1 year lol
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
According to Albert Breer, Ridley was flagged for using an out-of-state gambling app, which prompted an NFL investigation.
So how did Calvin Ridley get busted? He was in Florida, and used the only gambling app legal in the state. The app notified a compliance company the NFL has hired called Genius for this kind of thing.
That he was out of state was a factor in Ridley's activity being flagged.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 7, 2022
More on Falcons WR Calvin Ridley's case …
• He was placed on NFI on Nov. 5. The bets happened from Nov. 23-28.
• It was a series of less-than-10 wagers from his cell phone, including 3-, 5- and 8-game parlays.
• He did bet on the Falcons, but never against them.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 7, 2022
Ridley’s one-year suspension means he’s going to forfeit over $11 million in salary.
Calvin Ridley will lose out on more than $11 million in salary next season after being suspended for betting a total of $1,500 on NFL games.
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) March 7, 2022
Calvin Ridley bet $1500 and lost $10 million, those are the worst odds in gambling history
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) March 7, 2022