Calvin Ridley suspension: Falcons star receives heavy punishment for betting on NFL games

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for at least the entire 2022 NFL season for betting on games.

Note: We’ll add more to this story as it becomes available. 

The Falcons receiving corps just took a major hit, as Ridley was one of the top wideouts in the NFL and quickly emerging as a perennial Pro Bowl candidate for Matt Ryan. However, skill level and all, Ridley will be force to miss at least the 2022 NFL campaign as he was caught betting on games.

The NFL — like most sports leagues — does not allow gambling on games.

MLB has seen this type of punishment before, look no further than Pete Rose. But in professional football? It’s rather unheard of, despite the NFL’s willingness to push gambling upon its fans.

ESPN: Calvin Ridley suspended for gambling

It’s unclear if Ridley will be forced to miss more than the 2022 league year, and it’s likely this will be subject to appeal, at the very least. So buckle up.

For now, the NFL has issued a hardline stance against betting for its players.

In terms of the actual rule, it’s pretty black and white:

“All NFL Personnel are prohibited from placing, soliciting, or facilitating any bet, whether directly or indirectly through a third-party, on any NFL game, practice or other event,” the official NFL rulebook says.

There is no mistaking it. Assuming Ridley did actually bet on games, he’ll have a hard time reducing that suspension.

Ridley did not bet against the Falcons, or when he was active, per reports. He has also since claimed he does not have a gambling problem.

Calvin Ridley net worth

As of 2020, Ridley was estimated to be worth around $10 million. That was expected to go up when he landed his next NFL contract.

Calvin Ridley spotrac

Ridley’s official contract details can be found here.