ATLANTA — Calvin Ridley is responding to his suspension by the National Football League for allegedly gambling on games last year.
The NFL announced Monday that Ridley would be suspended “through at least the conclusion of the 2022 season.” The league said it found evidence that Ridley placed bets on five games in November while he was away from the team.
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Ridley posted a series of tweets that shows him taking a lighter approach to the allegations.
“I bet 1500 total I don’t have a gambling problem,” he tweeted first, followed by “I couldn’t even watch football at that point” and “I know I was wrong. But I’m getting 1 year.”
Ridley also defended his character, tweeting “If you know me you know my character.”
The NFL said a league investigation found no evidence that inside information was used, and no games were compromised.
Ridley hasn’t played for the Falcons since October. The wide received posted on his Twitter account in November that he would be stepping away, citing mental health concerns.
“I need to step away from football at this time and focus on my mental well being,” Ridley wrote.
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Ridley, a 2018 NFL Draft pick for Atlanta, had 90 catches for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns in 2020.
Fans looked forward to Ridley stepping up following Julio Jones’ move to Tennessee. However, Ridley had only 31 receptions for 281 yards and two touchdowns in his shortened 2021 season.