Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for no less than the whole 2022 season for playing on N.F.L. video games final 12 months, one of many harshest penalties of its variety in league historical past.
Commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned in a press release that Ridley, 27, positioned bets on N.F.L. video games throughout a five-day interval in late November when he was away from the membership to give attention to his psychological well being.
The league “uncovered no proof indicating any inside data was used or that any recreation was compromised in any means,” Goodell mentioned in a press release. “Nor was there proof suggesting any consciousness by coaches, workers, teammates, or different gamers of his betting exercise.”
Nonetheless, he mentioned the “integrity of the sport” is prime to the league’s success, and Ridley put that integrity in danger.
Ridley introduced on Oct. 31, 2021 that he would step away from the group due to a psychological well being situation.
“These previous few weeks have been very difficult and as a lot as I’d wish to be on the sphere competing with my teammates, I have to step away from soccer presently and give attention to my psychological nicely being,” Ridley mentioned in a press release posted to his social media accounts. “This can assist me be the most effective model of myself now and sooner or later.
Ridley, a four-year veteran, had his finest N.F.L. season in 2020 when he caught 90 passes for 1,374 yards. Final season, he performed in simply 5 video games.
The Falcons mentioned in a press release that they first discovered on the league’s investigation on Feb. 9, and that they “assist the league’s findings and actions.”
Ridley can attraction his suspension inside three days, and may ask to be reinstated on or after Feb. 15, 2023.
