Calvin Ridley suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games

Update: Ridley was flagged after betting on a legal gambling app in Florida, per Albert Breer. The app flagged the bets and notified a compliance company called Genius that the NFL hired for just these kinds of actions.

Update: Ridley responds to allegations that he has a gambling problem:

Update: Ridley did place at least one wager involving his own team, the Falcons, per Mike Garafolo.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for at least the 2022 season after betting on NFL games, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

The alleged activity took place during a five-day period in November 2021 while Ridley was away from the team and on the non-football illness list. He stepped away to deal with mental health issues.

This suspension will cause Ridley’s contract to toll for the 2022 season, putting him under contract until the 2023 season with the Falcons.

Ridley is eligible to apply for reinstatement on Feb 15, 2023, and can appeal the suspension within three days.

The NFL’s press release, seen below, states that Ridley had no inside information or involved any “coaches, staff’ teammates or other players in his betting activity.”

The Falcons have also issued a statement:

We were first made aware of the league’s investigation on Feb. 9. We have cooperated fully with the investigation since receiving notice and support the league’s findings and actions. We are moving forward in the 2022 season with the decision that was made. With the decision that was made by the NFL, any further questions on the investigation should be directed to the league office.

This will be the second player suspended for gambling in three years, as Arizona Cardinals DB Josh Shaw was suspended in 2019. He was reinstated in March of 2021.