Report: Calvin Ridley nearly reunited with former Alabama QB before scandal
Calvin Ridley became a major story last week when the news broke that he partook in sports betting during the 2021 season. While he wasn’t playing at the time, now that sports betting is legal — and many of the top casinos and gambling companies have direct partnerships with the NFL — the former Alabama star receiver was given a one-year suspension, a penalty many have deemed harsh.
In a wild twist of events, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports recently revealed an interesting piece of behind-the-scenes news that will have Philadelphia Eagles fans — and Crimson Tide die-hards who follow former players in the pros — cringing.
“Yup, Eagles almost had deal done for Calvin Ridley last month,” Glazer tweeted. “Falcons backed out but weren’t able to tell Eagles why. They actually handled it great and after a lot of confusion Philly respected them for how they handled a very different situation. Eagles swung away.”
That would have meant Ridley — one of the many ultra-talented former Alabama pass-catchers that found instant success in the NFL — would have reunited with Jalen Hurts, the same quarterback who threw to him during his time in Tuscaloosa.
That would have meant a former Alabama quarterback throwing to his top two receivers, who also are Crimson Tide products considering DeVonta Smith is already in Philly.
Calvin Ridley receives significant suspension from NFL
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has received a one-year suspension from the league after Roger Goodell found that the former All-Pro wideout was gambling on NFL games.
Ridley only appeared in five games during the 2021 season, as he was put on the non-football injury list on Nov. 5 citing “mental health” concerns. He finished the 2021 season with 31 receptions for 281 yards and two touchdowns.
In a press release, the NFL specified that Ridley was found betting on NFL games during a five-day period in late November, while Ridley was not with the team and away from the team facilities on the non-football illness list.
“A league investigation uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way,” the NFL said. “Nor was there evidence suggesting any awareness by coaches, staff, teammates or other players of his betting activity.”
A native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Ridley was selected with the 26th-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, spending all four of his seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. Over the course of his four-year career, Ridley has reeled in 248 receptions for 3,342 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns. His best season came in 2020, when Ridley needed just 15 games to amass 90 receptions for 1,374 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, a performance that was good for second-team All-Pro honors.
As part of the press release, the NFL included an excerpt of a letter sent from Goodell to Ridley informing him of the league’s decision.
“There is nothing more fundamental to the NFL’s success — and to the reputation of everyone associated with our league — than upholding the integrity of the game. This is the responsibility of every player, coach, owner, game official and anyone else employed in the league,” Goodell’s letter to Ridley read, 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.”
The press release does note that Ridley can petition for his reinstatement on or after Feb. 15, 2023, when his suspension is set to end. Furthermore, as outlined in the NFL and NFLPA collective bargaining agreement, Ridley has the option to appeal his suspension, though it appears that the league has made a firm decision.
“For decades, gambling on NFL games has been considered among the most significant violations of league policy warranting the most substantial sanction,” the NFL said. “In your case, I acknowledge and commend you for your promptly reporting for an interview, and for admitting your actions.”