After serving a one-year suspension for gambling, NFL wide receiver Calvin Ridley was reinstated March 6.
The 28-year-old was suspended indefinitely by the NFL in March 2022. His suspension fell under the NFL’s gambling policy. Even though the suspension was categorized as indefinite, Ridley was given the option to apply to be reinstated, which he did last month.
In 2021 when he was a member of the Atlanta Falcons, Ridley was on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list due to what Ridley described as mental issues. He had only played in five games that season.
While away from the game, Ridley placed wagers on NFL games in November 2021, a violation of the NFL’s gambling policy. The Hard Rock noticed his wagers, which were placed on his mobile account, and notified the NFL’s sports data provider, Genius Sports. They investigated the allegations and found that Ridley had placed wagers totaling $1,500.
Some of the bets were parlays that included the team he played for, the Falcons.
Genius Sports turned their findings over to the NFL. Ridley was then informed by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell that he was suspended.
Goodell wrote to Ridley and said in part: “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.”
He further stated: “(The inquiry) uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way.”
Since he was suspended, Ridley was traded from the Falcons to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He can now participate in all team activities, including the offseason program, which begins in April.
The Jaguars said in a statement that they were happy to have him back.
“We look forward to building a relationship with Calvin as both an individual and as a player,” the statement read. “Calvin is a proven playmaker and we are excited to see him compete among and with his new teammates.”
Ridley was equally enthusiastic to be returning to football.
“Today’s reinstatement by the NFL brings an end to a challenging chapter of my professional career, one that was self-inflicted and began with an isolated lapse in judgment,” Ridley said in a statement released by the Jaguars. “I have always owned my mistakes and this is no different. I have great respect for the game and am excited for the opportunity to restart my career in Jacksonville. I look forward to showing my new coaches, teammates, and the entire Jaguars organization exactly who I am and what I represent as a player and person.”
