Falcons WR Calvin Ridley breaks down pregame meal

On3 imageby:James Fletcher III08/05/21

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Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley broke down his pregame meal for the Players’ Tribune Tik-Tok this week. Ridley’s tradition has set off a chain reaction in the locker room, leading to a series of text messages on his way to the stadium.

“I always eat wings before the game, I don’t know why,” Ridley said. “The first couple times I got it I had like six or seven guys calling me on the way to the stadium before the game like ‘make sure Kenny gets me some wings too.’”

The tradition

According to Falcons assistant equipment manager Kenny Osuwah, Ridley is a simple man. He wants lemon pepper wings, all flats, with a small side of fries and an order of mac n’ cheese before every game. Perhaps more surprising than Calvin Ridley’s pregame meal is where he orders it.

“There’s this wing spot close to the stadium, it’s like a carwash,” Ridley said.

The carwash has become a favorite in the Falcons locker room and Ridley added many of his teammates want wings before the game now. Osuwah’s job is to make sure the wings arrive just after Ridley finishes his early work with the trainers, giving him time to eat before the game.

“I’ve gone there so much, I know exactly what he wants,” Osuwah said.

The production

Over his brief career, Ridley has continued to show improvement with each season. He finished his rookie year with 821 yards and 10 touchdowns, making five starts in 16 appearances in 2018. In Year 2, Ridley had 866 yards and seven touchdowns in just 13 games in 2019.

Ridley is coming off a second-team All-Pro season in 2020 where he finished with 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns. With the departure of fellow former Alabama product Julio Jones to Tennessee, Ridley is set to take over as the top receiving option in the Falcons’ offense. He will be faced with the toughest tasks of his young career as teams begin focusing on him as the primary threat and scheme to take away his touches.

Despite the increase in attention, NFL.com’s fantasy football insiders anticipate another big season from Ridley, ranking him No. 22 among all players and No. 7 at wide receiver. His fantasy projection is up 21.66 points from 2020.

Falcons’ first-round draft pick and former Florida tight end Kyle Pitts also joins the fold as a reliable receiving option as well. Veteran quarterback Matt Ryan continues to lead the offense with new running back Mike Davis in the backfield.

Image courtesy of Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images