Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver, bet on football games last fall. will now be banned from playing for at least the next 2022 season. The NFL announced Monday.
According to an NFL statement, the wagers were placed during a period of five days in late November 2021 when Ridley was absent from the club's facility due to a non-football illness.
The league didn't immediately provide details about which games Ridley bet on or how it was done.
Since the U.S., sports betting has seen a boom. The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned a federal law that requires states to ban gambling on video games. However, legal wagering is not allowed in Georgia.
However, the league insists that there is no evidence that any insider information was used or that any games were compromised.
Ridley stated that he had a $1,500 gambling problem and that he was a verified tweeter.
The league stated that the league did not inform coaches and teammates about the bets.
Ridley, a wideout, was at the time on the inactive team list for "non football injury." The wideout stated that he had to temporarily stop playing football in order to "focus on my mental well-being."
Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, wrote to Ridley that "there is nothing more fundamental for the NFL's success --and to the reputation of all those associated with our league -- then upholding the integrity and the game."
This is the responsibility of all players, coaches, owners, game officials, and any other employees in the league. Your actions could compromise the integrity of professional football and cause public disillusionment.
Ridley could petition the league for reinstatement after February 15, 2023, according to the league.
