Calvin Ridley is one of the younger wide receivers playing in the NFL currently. A top level route runner, he is highly capable of selling fakes to the defense giving him a clear path to make the catch coming his way. His quickness along with his high understanding of the game is a boon for any quarterback to work with.
Earning a five star recruit rating from his high school playing days, Ridley attended the University of Alabama from 2015 to 2017. Fortunately for him, he was able to earn playing time even as a true freshman. In fact, he even led the SEC with 89 receptions in his freshman year. Over the course of his three years in college football, he averaged above 10 yards per reception throughout the season each year. With well over 2,700 receiving yards in three years, he also became a two time CFP national champion with the Crimson Tide.
What led to Calvin Ridley’s Suspension
More than a year ago in March 2022, Calvin Ridley was found to be guilty of violating the NFL’s gambling policy. What transpired was a five-day period when he was not with his then-team the Atlanta Falcons, and he bet on NFL games including the Falcons as well.
According to the reports from the league, the said incident took place around November 2021 but by then Ridley had stepped away from the team. As a matter of fact, the former Falcons wide receiver had decided to leave the team less than mid-way through the season in October citing mental health as the reason for this surprising decision.
However, later on, the matter of his gambling on NFL matches came to the forefront and the league handed out a one-year suspension at the least to Ridley from March 2022. As per sources directly from the NFL, Ridley took out his phone and placed bets on multiple teams during that five-day period. Reports also convey that none of the NFL matches in which Ridley took part were affected in any way whatsoever.
The NFL has been very strict with its betting policy and has tightened its hold over such matters in the recent past. In fact, the league has started collaborating with their betting partners and is easily able to identify if any players, teams, coaches, executives, etc. are involved in betting on games. This is exactly what took place in Calvin Ridley’s case and how the league cracked down on what had happened.
When Does Calvin Ridley come back?
As the league had upheld a one year suspension from March 2022, Ridley was reinstated by mid March 2023 and was cleared to participate in all of the team’s activities on an immediate basis.
In between his period of suspension that included the entire 2022 NFL season, the Atlanta Falcons did business with the Jacksonville Jaguars and traded their star receiver in exchange for one fifth round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft as well as a fourth round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft which could get upgraded to a second round pick if Ridley is still on the Jaguars roster by then.
With this trade, Calvin Ridley has potentially become the number one receiver for the Jaguars and will lead the receiving corps which has added Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and tight end Evan Engram in a new look unit. It will be fascinating to see however what effect if at all any there has been on Calvin Ridley since missing out on an entire year of football. As the new season is just days away, we are sure to find out sooner than later.
FAQs
A. Calvin Ridley was suspended by the NFL for one year from March 2022 onwards. In the middle of March 2023, the NFL lifted its suspension and has since then allowed Ridley to participate in all team activities.
A. Clavin Ridley was found to be guilty of gambling on football matches which is against the NFL’s policy leading to his one year suspension.
A. In November 2022, amidst his one year suspension, Calvin Ridley was traded by the Falcons to the Jaguars.
A. Calvin Ridley is 28 years old as of August 2023. He was born in December 1994.
A. Calvin Ridley played his college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 2015 to 2017.
