Ridley didn’t dispute the NFL’s findings, writing Monday on Twitter, “I know I was wrong[.] But I’m getting 1 year lol.” He additionally wrote, “If you know me you know my character.”
I do know I used to be incorrect But I’m getting 1 yr lol
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
The NFL decided that Ridley made three-, five- and eight-team parlay bets by way of a sportsbook cell app whereas in Florida, in keeping with an individual accustomed to the league’s findings, who added that Ridley’s bets partly concerned Falcons games. Ridley guess on the Falcons to win, that individual stated.
According to that individual, the NFL was knowledgeable of Ridley’s bets by Genius Sports, which handles the league’s knowledge and sports activities playing monitoring.
“For decades, gambling on NFL games has been considered among the most significant violations of league policy warranting the most substantial sanction,” Goodell wrote to Ridley, in keeping with the NFL. “In your case, I acknowledge and commend you for your promptly reporting for an interview, and for admitting your actions.”
Ridley wrote Monday on Twitter, “I bet 1500 total I don’t have a gambling problem.” He additionally wrote that he “couldn’t even watch football at that point” and added, “Just gone be more healthy when I come back.”
I guess 1500 complete I don’t have a playing downside
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022
Ridley, 27, has spent the previous 4 seasons with the Falcons, who chosen him within the first spherical of the 2018 NFL draft out of Alabama. He performed in solely 5 games final season and introduced on social media in October that he was going to “step away from football at this time and focus on my mental wellbeing.”
The Falcons stated in a press release Monday that they have been made conscious Feb. 9 of the NFL’s investigation.
“We have cooperated fully with the investigation since receiving notice and support the league’s findings and actions,” the workforce stated. “We are moving forward in the 2022 season with the decision that was made. … [A]ny further questions on the investigation should be directed to the league office.”
The NFL stated in its announcement that its investigation “uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way. Nor was there evidence suggesting any awareness by coaches, staff, teammates, or other players of his betting activity.”
Ridley can enchantment the suspension. He will likely be eligible to use for reinstatement Feb. 15, the league stated. The bets have been positioned over a five-day interval in late November, in keeping with the NFL.
Ridley’s suspension is with out pay and would price him his complete wage of simply over $11.1 million for 2022.
According to the individual accustomed to the scenario, Ridley’s parlay bets have been made by way of the Hard Rock Sportsbook app. In December, the Seminole Tribe introduced that it will briefly droop operations of the app after an appeals court docket refused to place on maintain a choose’s ruling that the settlement offering the tribe with management of sports activities playing within the state violated federal legislation.
The NFL and its groups have embraced legalized sports activities betting as a income supply by way of partnerships after beforehand opposing efforts to unfold its legalization. Yet gamers, coaches and employees members stay prohibited from playing on games.
Ridley is the primary NFL participant suspended for betting on games because the Arizona Cardinals’ Josh Shaw in 2019. Previous gambling-related suspensions concerned star gamers Paul Hornung of the Green Bay Packers and Alex Karras of the Detroit Lions in 1963 and Baltimore Colts quarterback Art Schlichter in 1983.
When the NFL introduced its cope with Genius Sports in April, the league stated the corporate would “support the NFL’s efforts through comprehensive integrity services to monitor betting across all NFL games. … The NFL and its Clubs will also have access to Genius’ integrity education programs to ensure the continuation of the NFL’s high standard for integrity.”
Ridley’s greatest season got here in 2020, when he had 90 catches for 1,374 yards and 9 touchdowns. He was on the non-football sickness checklist and was away from the Falcons’ facility when he positioned the bets, the league stated.
On Oct. 31, Ridley wrote on social media: “These past few weeks have been very challenging and as much as I’d like to be on the field competing with my teammates, I need to step away from football at this time and focus on my mental wellbeing. This will help me be the best version of myself now and in the future.”