NFL Suspends Calvin Ridley For 2022 Season For Gambling On Games
A week or two ago, we were talking trade when it pertained to Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley. Today? Oh, we’re talking about something very different. Ridley has been suspended for the entire 2022 season for gambling on games. This is not a drill.
Tom Peliserro of NFL Network was the first to report the story:
“A league investigation uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way,” the league statement read. “Nor was there evidence suggesting any awareness by coaches, staff, teammates, or other players of his betting activity.”
“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,” Goodell wrote. “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.”
There is still stuff we don’t know. Did Ridley bet on the Falcons? Did he bet against the Falcons? Did he bet on just games that he had nothing to do with? Does any of it matter? Are we sure this suspension is still for just this season? Time will tell.
