Falcons’ Ridley banned for period and forfeits $11m salary after betting on NFL video games

The NFL has banned Atlanta Falcons extensive receiver Calvin Ridley for the whole 2022 season – and probably longer – for betting on video games. The suspension signifies he will forfeit his $11.1m wage for 2022.

“There is absolutely nothing additional fundamental to the NFL’s achievements – and to the popularity of every person involved with our league – than upholding the integrity of the video game,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote to Ridley, informing him of the suspension. “This is the responsibility of each participant, coach, operator, sport formal, and anybody else employed in the league. Your actions place the integrity of the video game at possibility, threatened to problems community self esteem in expert soccer, and most likely undermined the reputations of your fellow players throughout the NFL.

“For a long time, gambling on NFL games has been viewed as among the most substantial violations of league policy warranting the most significant sanction. In your circumstance, I acknowledge and commend you for your instantly reporting for an job interview, and for admitting your actions.”

The NFL found that Ridley built the bets while he was away from the team following stepping absent from the league to focus on his mental overall health in November 2021. The league claimed there was no purpose to recommend Ridley experienced employed inside details or affected the final result of any game titles. The NFL also stated it was happy no other users of the Falcons ended up involved in the scenario.

In a tweet on Monday, Ridley explained he experienced wager $1,500 on video games and does not have a gambling problem. ESPN claimed that Ridley’s bets incorporated the Falcons to gain.

“We ended up first made conscious of the league’s investigation on 9 February. We have cooperated entirely with the investigation due to the fact acquiring detect and aid the league’s conclusions and steps,” the Falcons mentioned in a statement. “We are going ahead in the 2022 year with the conclusion that was designed. With the selection that was built by the NFL, any further queries on the investigation ought to be directed to the league business.”

The earliest Ridley can apply for reinstatement to the league is 15 February 2023.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter described that numerous teams experienced tried to open trade talks for Ridley in recent weeks, but the group experienced been informed of the NFL investigation and experienced declined any offers.

The 27-calendar year-outdated Ridley was a 1st-spherical pick for the Falcons in 2018 and was named a next-staff All Professional in 2020 immediately after recording 1,374 obtaining yards.