Ridley, who has lost at least a full season after the suspension, posted on Twitter four times within an hour, all about the suspension that was first broken by Adam Schefter.
“I bet 1500 total I don’t have a gambling problem,” (3:00 PM · Mar 7, 2022) Ridley wrote to Twitter right after the suspension news was broken, this was Ridley’s first tweet of the afternoon that came on the heels of the suspension
Just five minutes later, he posted another update
“I couldn’t even watch football at that point” (3:05 PM · Mar 7, 2022) Ridley wrote again shortly thereafter, marking his third post in just ten minutes
“Just gone be more healthy when I come back,” (3:09 PM · Mar 7, 2022) after just over thirty minutes, Ridley posted yet again, acknowledging that he was wrong and directly noting the actual suspension for the first time.
“I know I was wrong but I’m getting 1 year lol,” (3:41 PM · Mar 7, 2022) less than an hour later, Ridley posted again, this time with a different tone.
“If you know me you know my character” (4:22 PM · Mar 7, 2022).
While he has not posted another update since this article has been published, it wouldn’t be surprising if we saw Ridley post another update.
NFL Players Suspended for Gambling:
1963 Alex Karras
1963 Paul Hornung
1983 Art Schlichter
2019 Josh Shaw
2022 Calvin Ridley
The Atlanta Falcons have posted a press release, detailing that they were made aware of the investigation last month. Ridley’s future with the team and whether or not he will remain in Atlanta is still unclear.
Per the NFL ruling, Ridley has three days to appeal the suspension. If not granted, Ridley would have the opportunity to apply for reinstatement starting on Feb. 15, 2023. It would be surprising to see Ridley win an appeal considering the NFL’s strict gambling policy.
Teams had inquired about Ridley this off-season before the news broke, but it is hard to see Ridley maintaining any trade value on the heels of the suspension. Trading for a player who won’t be able to take the field for at least a year is hardly an idea
Ridley joins a group of now five football players who have been suspended from the NFL due to gambling, as Adam Schefter posted shortly after the news broke, with Ridley’s being just the second in the 21st century.
