Calvin Ridley expresses remorse over NFL gambling suspension amid ongoing scrutiny

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley has called on other NFL stars to not place bets with sportsbooks following his own suspension over violating the league’s policies on gambling.

Ridley, formerly of the Atlanta Falcons, placed bets during a five-day period in late November 2021 while on the club’s non-football illness list. At the time, Ridley was not with his Atlanta Falcons teammates and was away from the club’s facilities.

An investigation carried out by the NFL into Ridley’s betting uncovered no evidence indicating inside information played a part in the bets, with the sport’s governing body asserting that no game was “compromised in any way”.

Ridley was suspended until the end of the 2022 season, during which time he was traded from the Falcons to the Jaguars, before his reinstatement in March 2023.

Speaking to the Florida Times-Union newspaper, the NFL star revealed regret over his actions and the impact his subsequent suspension had on other active players’ instances of gambling in the years since.

“Yeah, it bugs me a little because my NFL buddies didn’t look at me and say, ‘Aw man, hell, that’s serious,’” Ridley told the Florida Times-Union.

“I wish they would’ve looked at me and said, ‘Wow, they did him like that? I hope it doesn’t happen to me.’ Because that’s what I would’ve done.

“If I would’ve seen one of my NFL buddies get slammed like that, I would’ve been a little bit afraid and watching myself. But you know, it is what it is, they have to learn the hard way like I did. It’s gonna be alright though,” he added.

Ridley’s comments come at a time of huge scrutiny on the NFL and its links with sports betting, with a slew of recent suspensions and an ongoing investigation into Indianapolis Colts Isaiah Rodgers alleged gambling in violation of NFL rules.

Last month, Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus and fellow Lions safety player C.J. Moore, as well as Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney were all suspended until at least the conclusion of the 2023 NFL season for breaching league rules on gambling.

Fellow Detroit Lions players Stanley Berryhill and Jameson Williams were also suspended by the league for similar offences and will miss the first six regular season games of the 2023 season.

The NFL’s gambling policy, which is annually reviewed with all NFL personnel, including players, prohibits anyone in the NFL from engaging in any form of gambling in a club or league facility or venue, including the practice facility. 

In response to the rising instances of player gambling, the NFL has instigated a broadbase program of player engagement, drafting a one-page policy document expressing the league’s rules on gambling and even recruiting NFL legend Tom Brady to front a series of videos to be shown to players dealing with potential consequences of player gambling.

One player very aware of those consequences is Ridley, who warned his compatriots not to make the same mistakes he did and potentially jeopardize their respective playing careers.

“I think, even for me, once I found out I was getting investigated, I didn’t even know [how serious it was],” Ridley said.

“I was like, ‘OK, cool.’ I didn’t know how serious it was until I left that interview.

“It’s just schooling the guys on not to do it. It’s not worth it at all. I really think we don’t understand how serious it is. We kind of go over it and then it’s gone. It’s a real serious offense.

“You don’t want to do it, mess with the integrity of the game and your job. Just stay away from it if you can,” the Jacksonville Jaguars player concluded.